Game ID: 22501169
Philadelphia 76ers @ Houston Rockets
Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 35 38 23 17 113PHI 26 30 17 29 102
HOU vs PHI ScoutingHOU vs PHI Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 4/01 · back-to-backOUT Finney-Smith missed 3 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Newton missed 10 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/03 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 4 since 3/27, returns tonight: 9 min (56% of 16)
OUT Newton missed 11 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/05 · 1 day's restOUT Newton missed 12 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/03 after 4, 9 min since (56% of 16)
HOU availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Newton missed 13 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/03 after 4, 9 min since (56% of 16)
HOU availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 2 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Newton missed 14 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/10 · back-to-backOUT Finney-Smith missed 3 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Newton missed 15 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/12 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 4 since 4/05, returns tonight: 21 min (129% of 16)
OUT Newton missed 16 since 3/13, returns tonight: 12 min (100% of 12)
HOU availability going into 4/18 · 5 days' restBACK Finney-Smith back 4/12 after 4, 21 min since (129% of 16)
BACK Newton back 4/12 after 16, 12 min since (100% of 12)
HOU availability going into 4/21 · 2 days' restOUT Durant missed 2 since 4/12, returns tonight: 41 min (112% of 36)
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/12 after 4, 21 min since (129% of 16)
BACK Newton back 4/12 after 16, 12 min since (100% of 12)
PHI availability going into 4/01 · 1 day's restOUT Watford missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 3 min (20% of 15)
OUT Beauchamp missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 3 min (21% of 14)
OUT Walker missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 3 min (27% of 11)
OUT Terry missed 2 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/28 after 10, 43 min since (113% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 3/25 after 13, 33 min since (102% of 32)
BACK George back 3/25 after 25, 32 min since (102% of 32)
BACK Oubre Jr. back 3/28 after 8, 29 min since (92% of 32)
PHI availability going into 4/03 · 1 day's restOUT Terry missed 3 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/28 after 10, 40 min since (105% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 3/25 after 13, 33 min since (102% of 32)
BACK George back 3/25 after 25, 32 min since (100% of 32)
BACK Oubre Jr. back 3/28 after 8, 26 min since (83% of 32)
BACK Watford back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (20% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
BACK Walker back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (27% of 11)
PHI availability going into 4/04 · back-to-backOUT Terry missed 4 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/28 after 10, 39 min since (102% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 3/25 after 13, 33 min since (104% of 32)
BACK George back 3/25 after 25, 33 min since (104% of 32)
BACK Oubre Jr. back 3/28 after 8, 27 min since (86% of 32)
BACK Watford back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (20% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
BACK Walker back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (27% of 11)
PHI availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Terry missed 5 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/28 after 10, 38 min since (99% of 38)
BACK Oubre Jr. back 3/28 after 8, 27 min since (84% of 32)
BACK Watford back 4/01 after 2, 4 min since (26% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (22% of 14)
BACK Walker back 4/01 after 2, 4 min since (35% of 11)
PHI availability going into 4/09 · 2 days' restOUT Terry missed 6 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Watford back 4/01 after 2, 4 min since (26% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (22% of 14)
BACK Walker back 4/01 after 2, 4 min since (35% of 11)
PHI availability going into 4/10 · back-to-backOUT Watford missed 2 since 4/06, out tonight
OUT Beauchamp missed 2 since 4/06, out tonight
OUT Terry missed 7 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Walker back 4/01 after 2, 4 min since (36% of 11)
PHI availability going into 4/12 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 2 since 4/09, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 3 since 4/06, returns tonight: 7 min (44% of 15)
OUT Beauchamp missed 3 since 4/06, returns tonight: 3 min (19% of 14)
OUT Terry missed 8 since 3/28, returns tonight: 4 min (41% of 10)
PHI availability going into 4/19 · 6 days' restOUT Embiid missed 3 since 4/09, out tonight
BACK Watford back 4/12 after 3, 7 min since (44% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 4/12 after 3, 3 min since (19% of 14)
BACK Terry back 4/12 after 8, 4 min since (41% of 10)
PHI availability going into 4/21 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 4 since 4/09, out tonight
BACK Watford back 4/12 after 3, 7 min since (45% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 4/12 after 3, 3 min since (19% of 14)
BACK Terry back 4/12 after 8, 5 min since (51% of 10)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 43 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 25 and Thompson at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Finney-Smith (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Embiid at 26 and George at 23 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 43 percent from three to Philadelphia's 35 and the defense, Houston allowing 107 a night to Philadelphia's 117. Call it Houston 119, Philadelphia 110.
4/01 vs MIL 119-113 — HOU notes
HOU won 119-113. HOU shot 47% (41 of 87) to MIL's 47%, 18 of 42 from three, and went to the line 22 times to MIL's 16 — 19 points from the stripe to their 12. HOU turned it over 7 times to MIL's 15. Sheppard led with 27 (9 of 15, 9 of 14 from three); Sengun added 25, Durant 19. The hinge was Q1, 27-20: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Sheppard was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
4/03 vs UTA 140-106 — HOU notes
HOU won 140-106. HOU shot 55% (51 of 92) to UTA's 45%, 15 of 32 from three, and went to the line 30 times to UTA's 22 — 23 points from the stripe to their 15. Durant led with 25 (8 of 12, 2 of 4 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Thompson added 21, Sengun 19. The hinge was Q1, 34-22: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 37. Sheppard was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/05 @ GSW 117-116 — HOU notes
HOU won 117-116. HOU shot 55% (44 of 80) to GSW's 50%, 13 of 29 from three. Durant led with 31 (10 of 17, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Sengun added 24, Smith Jr. 23. The hinge was Q3, 37-29: a lead of 2 became 10, and the lead reached 15. Smith Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
4/07 @ PHX 119-105 — HOU notes
HOU won 119-105. HOU shot 45% (45 of 100) to PHX's 43%, 14 of 38 from three, and got to the line 16 times to PHX's 39. The glass went 55-34 for them. Durant led with 24 (8 of 20, 5 of 9 from three); Thompson added 22, Smith Jr. 20. The hinge was Q4, 38-21: HOU came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 14. HOU trailed 54-57 at the half and won the second half 65-48. Eason was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
4/09 vs PHI 113-102 — HOU notes
HOU won 113-102. HOU shot 45% (42 of 93) to PHI's 45%, 11 of 32 from three. Durant led with 29 (10 of 18, 3 of 6 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Thompson added 19, Smith Jr. 19. The hinge was Q1, 35-26: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 28. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
4/10 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Thompson at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Finney-Smith (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Randle at 23 and Dosunmu at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Edwards (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and Minnesota minus-7 and the defense, Houston allowing 108 a night to Minnesota's 117. Call it Houston 117, Minnesota 112.
4/12 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 113, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Finney-Smith (4 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 137, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Coward at 18 and Rupert at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Spencer (2 straight), Jackson (2 straight), Small (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Memphis minus-13 and the defense, Houston allowing 113 a night to Memphis's 137. Call it Houston 125, Memphis 112, Houston by 13.
4/18 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 108, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; James at 26 and Hachimura at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Reaves (5 straight), Hayes (4 straight). 5 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Thompson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. 5 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-15 a night and the Lakers minus-1 and the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Houston's 34. Call it the Lakers 115, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.
4/21 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 101, shooting 54 percent and 45 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 23 and Hachimura at 15 a game. That is 4 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Reaves (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Thompson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. Without Durant (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-15 a night and the Lakers minus-5 and the arc, the Lakers at 45 percent from three to Houston's 32. Call it the Lakers 113, Houston 111, Houston keeping it close.
4/01 @ WAS 153-131 — PHI notes
PHI won 153-131. PHI shot 62% (61 of 99) to WAS's 52%, 17 of 35 from three. George led with 39 (15 of 22, 6 of 12 from three); Maxey added 28, Edgecombe 23. The hinge was Q3, 47-32: a lead of 2 became 17, and the lead reached 24. Barlow was the night's best plus/minus at +34.
4/03 vs MIN 115-103 — PHI notes
PHI won 115-103. PHI shot 50% (41 of 82) to MIN's 38%, 9 of 26 from three, and went to the line 28 times to MIN's 20 — 24 points from the stripe to their 13. The glass went 53-43 for them. George led with 23 (6 of 15, 3 of 7 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); Maxey added 21, Oubre Jr. 21. The hinge was Q3, 42-24: PHI came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 12, and the lead reached 17. PHI trailed 41-47 at the half and won the second half 74-56. Embiid was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
4/04 vs DET 93-116 — PHI notes
PHI lost 93-116. PHI shot 44% (35 of 79) to DET's 49%, 8 of 29 from three. The glass went 33-45 against them. Maxey led with 23 (8 of 17, 2 of 5 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); George added 20, Edgecombe 19. Q2 was theirs, 29-30, but the other 3 periods went 86-64 against them. Oubre Jr.'s -28 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/06 @ SAS 102-115 — PHI notes
PHI lost 102-115. PHI shot 39% (34 of 88) to SAS's 49%, 10 of 31 from three, and went to the line 29 times to SAS's 22 — 24 points from the stripe to their 16. Embiid led with 34 (8 of 19, 2 of 6 from three, 16 of 19 at the line); George added 16, Maxey 15. Q3 was theirs, 30-30, but the other 3 periods went 85-72 against them. Maxey's -15 in 40 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/09 @ HOU 102-113 — PHI notes
PHI lost 102-113. PHI shot 45% (38 of 85) to HOU's 45%, 11 of 32 from three. Maxey led with 24 (9 of 20, 5 of 10 from three); Edgecombe added 20, Grimes 20. Q4 was theirs, 29-17, the deficit cut from 23 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 96-73 against them. Oubre Jr.'s -21 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/10 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Toppin at 16 and Slawson at 13 a game. Without Sheppard (3 straight), McConnell (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 22 and George at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Watford (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Indiana wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Indiana 117, Philadelphia 115, Philadelphia keeping it close.
4/12 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 108, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 24 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and George at 17 a game. Without Embiid (2 straight), Watford (3 straight). One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ryan at 18 and Green at 18 a game. Without Porter Jr. (13 straight), Portis (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 42 percent from three to Philadelphia's 29 and the defense, Philadelphia allowing 108 a night to Milwaukee's 118. Call it Philadelphia 115, Milwaukee 110.
4/19 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 16 free throws a game; Brown at 28 and Tatum at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Tatum (2 straight). 6 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and Edgecombe at 16 a game. Without Embiid (3 straight). 6 days' rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Boston at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 31 and the glass, where Boston has been plus-5 a night and Philadelphia minus-2. Call it Boston 116, Philadelphia 108.
4/21 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 106, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 17 free throws a game; Brown at 28 and Tatum at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and Edgecombe at 14 a game. Without Embiid (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Boston at 41 percent from three to Philadelphia's 29 and the line, where Philadelphia takes 23 free throws a game to Boston's 17. Call it Boston 117, Philadelphia 107, Boston by 10.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CC C. Capela
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
KD K. Durant
RS R. Sheppard
TE T. Eason
PHIAB A. Bona
AD A. Drummond
DB D. Barlow
JE J. Edwards
JW J. Walker
KO K. Oubre Jr.
PG P. George
QG Q. Grimes
TM T. Maxey
VE V. Edgecombe
HOU/PHI the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Kevin Durant scores 29 as the Rockets beat the 76ers 113-102 for their 8th straight win
HOUSTON -- — Kevin Durant scored 29 points and the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games with a 113-102 win Thursday night over the Philadelphia 76ers , who were missing Joel Embiid after he had an appendectomy.
The 76ers, who are fighting for a playoff spot, will be without Embiid indefinitely. He had surgery in Houston on Thursday after being stricken with appendicitis overnight.
Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points each for the Rockets, who have clinched a postseason berth but are contending with Denver and the Lakers for playoff seeding in the West.
Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points for Philadelphia and VJ Edgecombe added 21. The Sixers lost their third straight and dropped into a tie with Charlotte for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Houston led by 23 after three quarters, but Philadelphia used a 16-0 run to get within 101-94 with about five minutes to play. Durant made a 3-pointer after that to end a scoring drought of almost five minutes for the Rockets and Aaron Holiday made a 3 on the next possession to push the lead to 107-94 with four minutes remaining.
Philadelphia scored the next eight points, with the last five from Edgecombe, to get within five. But another 3-pointer by Durant put Houston ahead 110-102 with just over a minute left.
They struggled for most of the game, trailing by nine after the first quarter and 17 by halftime. The Rockets stretched the lead to 96-73 at the end of the third before the Sixers finally got going in the fourth.