Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant reacts to a foul call...

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant reacts to a foul call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Houston, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Credit: AP/Ashley Landis

HOUSTON — Kevin Durant had 28 points and Alperen Sengun added 23 with 11 assists to lead the Houston Rockets to a 119-113 win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.

There were 35 lead changes in the game with neither team able to build a cushion until the Rockets did in the final minutes.

Houston trailed by 1 with about 3 1/2 minutes to go before going on a 7-2 run to make it 110-106. Durant got things going in that stretch with a dunk and Jabari Smith Jr. added a 3-pointer.

A layup by Tre Jones cut the lead to 2 but Smith made a jumper before knocking down a 3 from the top of the key to extend the lead to 115-108 with about 90 seconds remaining.

Kevin Huerter made a layup for Chicago after that but a booming dunk by Durant left Houston up 117-110 with less than a minute to play.

Amen Thompson added 23 points for the Rockets and Smith scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to help Houston snap a three-game skid.

Jones had a career-high 34 points for the Bulls, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Chicago Bulls...

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Credit: AP/Ashley Landis

The Rockets led by 6 with about eight minutes left before the Bulls scored the next seven points, with three pointers by Isaac Okoro and Ayo Dosunmu, to take a 99-98 lead midway through the fourth.

Houston was just 4 of 20 on 3-point attempts when Thompson hit one to put the Rockets back on top. But Matas Buzelis made one for the Bulls seconds later to give them a 102-101 lead.

Thompson made two free throws after that before a bad pass by Durant led to a basket by Buzelis that left Chicago up 104-103 with 3 1/2 minutes left.

Up Next

Bulls: Host Utah on Wednesday night.

Chicago Bulls forward Dalen Terry (7) defends against Houston Rockets...

Chicago Bulls forward Dalen Terry (7) defends against Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Credit: AP/Ashley Landis

Rockets: Host the Thunder Thursday night.

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