The Houston Rockets beat the New York Knicks 111-94 on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Toyota Center, taking control early behind Kevin Durant’s 27 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Houston built a 16-point first-quarter lead, stayed efficient offensively, and improved to 46-29 with another strong home result.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
Houston set the tone immediately, outscoring New York 37-21 in the opening period. The Rockets moved the ball cleanly, found quality looks from the perimeter, and shot with confidence while the Knicks struggled to match that pace. That early 16-point edge gave Houston room to dictate the game.
Second Quarter
New York responded with a better stretch in the second, winning the quarter 29-26. Karl-Anthony Towns helped stabilize the Knicks offensively, and the visitors did enough to trim the halftime margin to 63-50. Even so, Houston remained in front thanks to its balanced scoring and steady shot-making.
Third Quarter
The game swung firmly back toward the Rockets in the third. Houston won the quarter 29-22, extending the lead to 92-72 entering the fourth. Durant continued to organize the offense, and Alperen Sengun’s passing from the middle of the floor helped Houston generate efficient possessions against a Knicks defense that could not fully disrupt the rhythm.
Fourth Quarter
New York matched Houston more evenly in the final period and held a 22-19 edge, but the deficit was too large by then. The Rockets managed the closing minutes well, avoided a major late run, and came away with a comfortable 17-point win.
Key Performers
Houston Rockets
Kevin Durant led all scorers with 27 points while adding six rebounds and eight assists, delivering one of the most complete lines of the night. Alperen Sengun finished with 10 assists, setting the table for Houston’s offense as the Rockets piled up 35 assists as a team. Tari Eason led Houston with eight rebounds.
As a team, the Rockets shot 53.8% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range, knocking down 15 of 35 from deep. Their combination of efficiency and ball movement stood out throughout the night.
New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns paced New York with 22 points and eight rebounds. Jalen Brunson contributed eight assists, but the Knicks never fully recovered from the opening quarter. New York shot 42.4% overall and 29.4% from three, numbers that made it difficult to close the gap after falling behind early.
NerdSports Stat: Houston recorded 35 assists on 42 made field goals, meaning 83.3% of the Rockets’ baskets were assisted in a 17-point win.
Game Analysis
This game was largely decided by Houston’s offensive quality in the opening and middle portions of the night. The Rockets outperformed the Knicks in shooting efficiency by a wide margin, finishing at 53.8% from the floor compared with New York’s 42.4%. They also created a significant edge from three-point range, making five more threes while shooting more than 13 percentage points better from beyond the arc.
Houston’s passing was another major separator. The Rockets posted 35 assists to New York’s 22, and that gap reflected how consistently they created clean looks. Sengun’s 10 assists and Durant’s eight helped keep the offense organized, especially when the Knicks tried to regain momentum in the second quarter.
New York did finish with a 41-38 rebounding advantage, but that edge did not translate into enough efficient offense. The Knicks attempted more shots, 85 to 78, yet Houston made six more field goals because of its stronger shot selection and execution. Once the Rockets rebuilt separation in the third quarter, the game tilted decisively in their favor.
Closing Context
With the win, Houston moved to 46-29 and continued to strengthen its position in the Western Conference playoff picture while improving to 26-10 at home. New York fell to 48-28, a result that could matter in the Eastern Conference seeding race as the regular season enters its final stretch. For both teams, this was a useful measuring-stick matchup, and Houston looked sharper from the opening tip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Houston Rockets defeated New York Knicks 111-94 on March 31, 2026.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points on 53.8% shooting.
After the win, Houston Rockets sits 46-29 in the Western Conference.
Kevin Durant was the standout performer with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists.
