Game ID: 22500557
Houston Rockets @ Sacramento Kings
Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAC 22 29 27 33 111HOU 23 25 28 22 98
HOU @ SAC ScoutingHOU @ SAC 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.
SAC availability going into 1/02 · back-to-backOUT LaVine missed 8 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 20 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 22 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 2 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 34 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 34 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Carter back 12/30 after 7, 7 min since (40% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 12/27 after 5, 13 min since (86% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 10 min since (76% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 9 since 12/18, returns tonight: 36 min (113% of 31)
OUT Sabonis missed 21 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 23 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 3 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 35 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 33 min since (97% of 34)
BACK Carter back 12/30 after 7, 6 min since (32% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 12/27 after 5, 14 min since (90% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 10 min since (76% of 13)
NEW Ellis 18 to 27 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT Sabonis missed 22 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 24 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 2 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 4 since 12/30, returns tonight: 10 min (51% of 21)
OUT Stevens missed 36 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 32 min since (92% of 34)
BACK LaVine back 1/04 after 9, 36 min since (113% of 31)
BACK Carter back 12/30 after 7, 6 min since (32% of 18)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 13 min since (97% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/09 · 2 days' restOUT Sabonis missed 23 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 25 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 3 since 1/02, returns tonight: 19 min (88% of 22)
OUT Carter missed 2 since 1/04, returns tonight: 4 min (21% of 18)
OUT Stevens missed 37 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 32 min since (92% of 34)
BACK LaVine back 1/04 after 9, 36 min since (116% of 31)
BACK Cardwell back 1/06 after 4, 10 min since (51% of 21)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 13 min since (97% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 2 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 24 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 26 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 38 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 2 since 1/06, returns tonight: 9 min (67% of 13)
BACK LaVine back 1/04 after 9, 34 min since (110% of 31)
BACK Monk back 1/09 after 3, 19 min since (88% of 22)
BACK Cardwell back 1/06 after 4, 16 min since (78% of 21)
BACK Carter back 1/09 after 2, 4 min since (21% of 18)
NEW Ellis 18 to 23 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 1/12 · back-to-backOUT Murray missed 3 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 25 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 27 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 2 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 39 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK LaVine back 1/04 after 9, 33 min since (104% of 31)
BACK Monk back 1/09 after 3, 23 min since (103% of 22)
BACK Cardwell back 1/06 after 4, 17 min since (83% of 21)
BACK Carter back 1/09 after 2, 4 min since (21% of 18)
BACK Eubanks back 1/11 after 2, 9 min since (67% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 4 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 26 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 28 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 2 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 2 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 3 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 40 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK LaVine back 1/04 after 9, 33 min since (104% of 31)
BACK Monk back 1/09 after 3, 26 min since (117% of 22)
BACK Cardwell back 1/06 after 4, 17 min since (82% of 21)
BACK Eubanks back 1/11 after 2, 9 min since (67% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 5 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 27 since 11/19, returns tonight: 21 min (71% of 30)
OUT Plowden missed 29 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Schröder missed 3 since 1/11, returns tonight: 20 min (77% of 26)
OUT Carter missed 3 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 4 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 41 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 2 since 1/12, out tonight
BACK Monk back 1/09 after 3, 24 min since (110% of 22)
BACK Cardwell back 1/06 after 4, 18 min since (87% of 21)
NEW DeRozan 31 to 37 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 1/18 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 6 since 1/06, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 30 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 4 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 5 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 42 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 3 since 1/12, out tonight
BACK Sabonis back 1/16 after 27, 21 min since (71% of 30)
BACK Schröder back 1/16 after 3, 20 min since (77% of 26)
BACK Monk back 1/09 after 3, 22 min since (102% of 22)
NEW DeRozan 31 to 36 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restBACK Sengun back 1/01 after 2, 34 min since (100% of 34)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/25 after 27, 15 min since (93% of 16)
HOU availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Adams missed 2 since 1/01, returns tonight: 31 min (137% of 23)
BACK Sengun back 1/01 after 2, 17 min since (52% of 34)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/25 after 27, 15 min since (95% of 16)
HOU availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restBACK Sengun back 1/01 after 2, 17 min since (52% of 34)
BACK Adams back 1/05 after 2, 31 min since (137% of 23)
HOU availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Sengun missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Adams back 1/05 after 2, 31 min since (135% of 23)
HOU availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Sengun missed 3 since 1/05, returns tonight: 35 min (105% of 34)
BACK Adams back 1/05 after 2, 31 min since (138% of 23)
HOU availability going into 1/13 · 1 day's restBACK Sengun back 1/11 after 3, 35 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Adams back 1/05 after 2, 29 min since (129% of 23)
HOU availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 2 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Sengun back 1/11 after 3, 36 min since (106% of 34)
BACK Adams back 1/05 after 2, 27 min since (119% of 23)
HOU availability going into 1/16 · back-to-backOUT Eason missed 3 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 2 since 1/13, returns tonight: 16 min (99% of 16)
BACK Sengun back 1/11 after 3, 35 min since (103% of 34)
HOU availability going into 1/18 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 4 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Sengun back 1/11 after 3, 34 min since (101% of 34)
BACK Finney-Smith back 1/16 after 2, 16 min since (99% of 16)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 19 and LaVine at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Murray (2 straight), Sabonis (24 straight), Plowden (26 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 103, shooting 43 percent and 26 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 30 and Thompson at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. Without Sengun (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-13 a night and Sacramento minus-8 and the defense, Houston allowing 103 a night to Sacramento's 120. Call it Houston 115, Sacramento 108.
1/02 @ PHX 102-129 — SAC notes
SAC lost 102-129. SAC shot 41% (35 of 85) to PHX's 56%, 10 of 28 from three. SAC turned it over 21 times to PHX's 12, and PHX turned those into 16 steals. Murray led with 23 (9 of 17, 3 of 5 from three); Westbrook added 17, Ellis 14. Q1 was theirs, 29-32, but the other 3 periods went 97-73 against them. Murray's -23 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/04 vs MIL 98-115 — SAC notes
SAC lost 98-115. SAC shot 42% (34 of 80) to MIL's 45%, 5 of 25 from three. The glass went 38-48 against them. Westbrook led with 21 (5 of 16, 1 of 8 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); LaVine added 20, Schröder 13. Q3 was theirs, 25-23, the deficit cut from 18 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 92-73 against them. DeRozan's -22 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/06 vs DAL 98-100 — SAC notes
SAC lost 98-100. SAC shot 42% (39 of 92) to DAL's 41%, 9 of 31 from three. The glass went 43-55 against them. DeRozan led with 21 (8 of 18, 3 of 6 from three); LaVine added 20, Raynaud 14. Q1 was theirs, 35-25, but the other 3 periods went 75-63 against them. They led by as many as 12. Schröder's -9 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/09 @ GSW 103-137 — SAC notes
SAC lost 103-137. SAC shot 50% (43 of 86) to GSW's 55%, 7 of 27 from three. The glass went 31-41 against them. DeRozan led with 24 (10 of 19); LaVine added 15, Schröder 15. Q2 was theirs, 30-29, the deficit cut from 5 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 108-73 against them. LaVine's -29 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/11 vs HOU 111-98 — SAC notes
SAC won 111-98. SAC shot 48% (44 of 91) to HOU's 43%, 8 of 23 from three, and got to the line 20 times to HOU's 29. DeRozan led with 22 (8 of 13, 6 of 6 at the line); LaVine added 18, Westbrook 15. The hinge was Q4, 33-22: a lead of 2 became 13, and the lead reached 16. Monk was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
1/12 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 23 free throws a game; LaVine at 18 and DeRozan at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Murray (3 straight), Sabonis (25 straight), Plowden (27 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 26 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and James at 28 a game. Without Reaves (7 straight), Hachimura (6 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-0 a night and Sacramento minus-6. Call it the Lakers 115, Sacramento 110.
1/14 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 22 and LaVine at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Murray (4 straight), Sabonis (26 straight), Plowden (28 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brunson at 27 and Towns at 17 a game. Without Shamet (23 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-2 a night and Sacramento minus-8 and the turnovers, New York giving it away 15 times a game to Sacramento's 11. Call it New York 115, Sacramento 114, Sacramento keeping it close.
1/16 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; DeRozan at 25 and LaVine at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Murray (5 straight), Sabonis (27 straight), Plowden (29 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sarr at 15 and George at 14 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Watkins (8 straight), Cooper (21 straight), Whitmore (18 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, Sacramento at 38 percent from three to Washington's 31 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 18 times a game to Sacramento's 12. Call it Sacramento 117, Washington 111.
1/18 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 113, shooting 52 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; DeRozan at 24 and Westbrook at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Murray (6 straight), Plowden (30 straight), Carter (4 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 113, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Sharpe at 22 and Love at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Avdija (3 straight), Henderson (43 straight), Murray (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, Sacramento at 43 percent from three to Portland's 33 and the glass, where Portland has been plus-4 a night and Sacramento minus-0. Call it Sacramento 116, Portland 114, Portland keeping it close.
1/03 @ DAL 104-110 — HOU notes
HOU lost 104-110. HOU took 26 more shots (106 to 80), fed by 17 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to DAL's 55%, 10 of 41 from three. HOU turned it over 9 times to DAL's 15. Durant led with 34 (14 of 26, 2 of 7 from three); A. Thompson added 20, Eason 19. Q1 was theirs, 31-25, but the other 3 periods went 85-73 against them. They led by as many as 11. Sheppard's -24 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 vs PHX 100-97 — HOU notes
HOU won 100-97. HOU shot 44% (38 of 87) to PHX's 42%, 9 of 37 from three, and went to the line 21 times to PHX's 12 — 15 points from the stripe to their 9. The glass went 51-40 for them. Durant led with 26 (9 of 21, 2 of 12 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Smith Jr. added 17, Thompson 17. The hinge was Q3, 24-18: HOU came in trailing by 6 and left it level. HOU trailed 54-60 at the half and won the second half 46-37. Sheppard was the night's best plus/minus at +8.
1/07 @ POR 102-103 — HOU notes
HOU lost 102-103. HOU took 16 more shots (99 to 83), fed by 24 offensive rebounds, but shot 37% to POR's 43%, 8 of 36 from three. The glass went 57-38 for them. Durant led with 37 (14 of 26, 2 of 6 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Thompson added 24, Eason 15. Q4 was theirs, 27-22, the deficit cut from 6 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 81-75 against them.
1/09 @ POR 105-111 — HOU notes
HOU lost 105-111. HOU shot 42% (40 of 96) to POR's 42%, 10 of 44 from three. The glass went 56-43 for them. Durant led with 30 (11 of 20, 4 of 9 from three); Thompson added 24, Sheppard 20. Q3 was theirs, 34-22, but the other 3 periods went 89-71 against them. They led by as many as 13.
1/11 @ SAC 98-111 — HOU notes
HOU lost 98-111. HOU shot 43% (36 of 84) to SAC's 48%, 7 of 30 from three, and went to the line 29 times to SAC's 20 — 19 points from the stripe to their 15. Thompson led with 31 (11 of 17, 9 of 12 at the line); Durant added 23, Sengun 19. Q1 was theirs, 23-22, but the other 3 periods went 89-75 against them. Holiday's -19 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/13 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 106, shooting 41 percent and 23 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 30 and Thompson at 23 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 13 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Vučević at 19 a game. Without Giddey (6 straight), Collins (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 33 percent from three to Houston's 23 and the line, where Houston takes 24 free throws a game to Chicago's 13. Call it Houston 114, Chicago 110, Chicago keeping it close.
1/15 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 107, shooting 43 percent and 24 from three, 26 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Thompson at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Eason (2 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 27 from three, 30 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Jal. Williams at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Hartenstein (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and OKC minus-8 and the defense, Houston allowing 107 a night to OKC's 115. Call it Houston 114, OKC 113, OKC keeping it close.
1/16 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 110, shooting 41 percent and 25 from three, 26 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Thompson at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Eason (3 straight), Finney-Smith (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 114, shooting 53 percent and 44 from three, 19 free throws a game; Edwards at 25 and Randle at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Minnesota at 44 percent from three to Houston's 25 and the line, where Houston takes 26 free throws a game to Minnesota's 19. Call it Minnesota 116, Houston 112, Houston keeping it close.
1/18 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 27 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 29 and Williamson at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (6 straight), Murray (14 straight), Alvarado (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Houston's 29 and the defense, Houston allowing 110 a night to New Orleans's 119. Call it Houston 117, New Orleans 113, New Orleans keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SACDC D. Cardwell
DD D. DeRozan
DE D. Eubanks
KE K. Ellis
MM M. Monk
MR M. Raynaud
NC N. Clifford
PA P. Achiuwa
RW R. Westbrook
ZL Z. LaVine
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
DF D. Finney-Smith
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
KD K. Durant
RS R. Sheppard
SA S. Adams
SAC/HOU 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
DeMar DeRozan reaches 26,000 career points in Kings' victory over Rockets
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- — DeMar DeRozan had 22 points and became the 23rd player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points, helping the Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 111-98 on Sunday night.
DeRozan reached the milestone in the second quarter.
Zach LaVine added 18 points, Russell Westbrook had 15 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, and Malik Monk also scored 15 points in the Kings' first victory of the year. They are 9-30.
Kings guard Dennis Schroder served the first game of a three-game suspension for a confrontation with Lakers star Luka Doncic after a game in Los Angeles on Dec. 28.
Amen Thompson had 31 points and 13 rebounds for Houston. Kevin Durant added 23 points, and Alperen Sengun had 19 points and nine rebounds. The Rockets have lost four of five to fall to 22-14.
Sacramento had a 78-76 advantage, but no team had a lead larger than five points through three quarters. Thompson made 7 of 9 shots from the field and 2 of 3 at the foul line for 18 points in the third quarter.
Malik Monk made back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Kings up, and Precious Achiuwa added a layup to make it 102-92 in the fourth quarter.
Up next Rockets: At Chicago on Tuesday night.
Kings: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.