Jabari Smith Jr. can’t prevent Rockets’ loss to Blazers 111-105 last night

Jabari Smith Jr. couldn’t prevent the Houston Rockets from collapsing down the stretch. The Portland Trail Blazers stormed back from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to steal a 111-105 victory last night at Moda Center. This devastating loss marks the Rockets’ second consecutive defeat to Portland in just three days.

Rockets Blow 13-Point Fourth Quarter Lead

The Rockets entered the final quarter with a commanding 13-point advantage after an explosive third quarter. Reed Sheppard led the charge with 11 third-quarter points, including three long-range bombs, as Houston built what looked like a decisive cushion at 89-76.

Everything unraveled in minutes. A devastating 11-0 Portland run sliced the lead to just two points. Deni Avdija then took over, driving to the basket and converting four consecutive free throws to put the Blazers ahead 100-99 with 3 minutes remaining. The Rockets never recovered from the momentum shift.

Smith Jr. Fouls at Critical Moment, Game Slips Away

Jabari Smith Jr. made the costly mistake with 1:48 left when he fouled Sidy Cissoko on a three-point attempt. Cissoko made all three free throws, extending the Blazers’ lead to four. A Kevin Durant jumper got the Rockets within two, but Houston turned the ball over on their next possession.

Portland sealed the win with a Cissoko alley-oop with 1:03 remaining. Smith Jr. finished with a quiet performance, unable to generate scoring punch when the Rockets needed an offensive spark most in the closing moments.

Durant’s Historic Night Overshadowed by Loss

Player	Points	Notable Factor
Deni Avdija (Blazers)	41	Dominated fourth quarter with crucial free throws
Amen Thompson (Rockets)	15	Led Rockets scoring at halftime alongside Durant
Kevin Durant (Rockets)	14	Made historic seventh all-time scoring milestone in third quarter
Toumani Camara (Blazers)	18	Found success early with 16 first-half points

Kevin Durant passed Wilt Chamberlain for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with a three-pointer early in the third quarter, marking a career milestone amid the game’s chaos. The historic achievement felt hollow after Houston squandered a winning position.

Rockets shot poorly from deep again, making just 2-of-14 three-pointers in the first half. Portland dominated from distance at 9-of-24 early, setting the tone for an offensive mismatch that haunted Houston throughout.

“Rockets’ Ime Udoka lamented horrendous defensive discipline in loss to Blazers. The Rockets’ inability to come up with timely stops down the stretch helped doom them to a loss in Portland.”

— Houston Chronicle, Game Coverage

Injury Troubles Mount as Rockets Fall

Houston lost Tari Eason to a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter, removing a rotation piece when the team needed all hands on deck. Eason had 6 points in 15 minutes before the injury ended his night. Josh Okogie provided a spark off the bench with energetic defense, including a key steal from Donovan Clingan that led to Reed Sheppard’s fourth-quarter three-pointer.

The Rockets now face urgent questions about consistency and finishing ability. Jabari Smith Jr. must elevate his presence if Houston hopes to avoid repeating this pattern. With Kevin Durant’s scoring prowess and Amen Thompson’s versatility, the talent exists. Execution in crunch time separated the two teams.

Can the Rockets Bounce Back Against Elite West Competition?

Portland’s five-game winning streak came at Houston’s expense, with the Trail Blazers now 19-20 after splitting the season series. The Rockets fall to 22-13, still well-positioned in the Western Conference standings, but momentum has shifted south after consecutive losses to a .500 team.

The resilience test comes next for Ime Udoka’s squad. Will Smith Jr. respond with better shot selection and situational awareness? Can Houston tighten perimeter defense to prevent Portland-style fourth-quarter explosions? The answers determine whether this loss fades into February’s rearview mirror or signals deeper issues in the Rockets’ playoff push.

Sources

• Houston Chronicle – Comprehensive game recap with fourth-quarter breakdown and player statistics
• ESPN – Final score verification and official game box scores
• NBA.com – Official game statistics, player highlights, and Kevin Durant’s historic milestone confirmation