The Houston Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs 114-110 in Austin on Friday night, October 23, 2026, earning their second consecutive victory to begin the NBA season. Amen Thompson delivered the decisive defensive play by blocking Victor Wembanyama’s potential game-tying shot in the closing seconds, while Alperen Sengun dominated inside to lead Houston’s offense.
The Rockets vs Spurs matchup provided plenty of excitement, with both teams showcasing their young talent. Wembanyama responded to a disappointing season opener with a strong performance, but Houston’s balanced scoring and late-game execution proved too much for San Antonio.
The result improved the Houston Rockets to 2-0, while the San Antonio Spurs fell to 0-2 after suffering another narrow defeat.
Rockets vs Spurs Final Score
The Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs game finished with a 114-110 victory for Houston at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
| Team | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 114 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 110 |
Houston secured the win through Sengun’s scoring, Kevin Durant’s contribution, and Thompson’s crucial defensive stop. San Antonio stayed competitive throughout the contest but could not convert its final possession into a tying basket.
Amen Thompson Blocks Victor Wembanyama to Seal Rockets Win
The biggest moment of the Rockets vs Spurs game came in the closing seconds.
With San Antonio trailing by two points, the Spurs called a timeout to organize a final offensive possession. De’Aaron Fox found Victor Wembanyama near the basket, giving the towering center an opportunity to tie the game.
However, Amen Thompson anticipated the attempt and delivered a game-winning block on Wembanyama’s shot. The defensive play prevented San Antonio from forcing a tie and helped Houston protect its four-point victory.
Thompson’s performance highlighted his value beyond scoring. His athleticism, timing, and defensive awareness made the difference in a game where one possession could have changed the outcome.
The final sequence also became a major talking point because Wembanyama had an opportunity to finish the possession at the rim. Asked afterward whether he would have done anything differently on the shot, Wembanyama reportedly responded, “I would have dunked.”
The moment captured the intensity of the Spurs Rockets rivalry and demonstrated why defensive stops are often just as important as offensive production in close NBA games.
Alperen Sengun Dominates as Houston Rockets Control the Paint
Alperen Sengun was one of the biggest reasons the Rockets came away with the victory. The Houston center finished with 29 points and seven rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field.
Sengun repeatedly created problems for San Antonio’s defense with his scoring touch, positioning, and ability to finish around the basket. The Spurs tried different defensive matchups, including using Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, but struggled to contain him consistently.
His performance was particularly important because Houston needed reliable scoring inside against San Antonio’s length and rim protection.
Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson also scored 20 points apiece, giving the Rockets three major offensive contributors. That balanced production helped Houston maintain its advantage when the Spurs attempted to rally.
For the Rockets, the victory was another encouraging sign that their offense can generate points through multiple options rather than relying on a single scorer.
Victor Wembanyama Bounces Back for the San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama delivered a much-improved performance after a difficult opening game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Spurs star recorded 25 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks, shooting 9-of-21 from the field. His all-around contribution helped San Antonio remain within reach of Houston throughout the contest.
Although Wembanyama showed progress, his shooting efficiency remains an area to watch. Through the first two games, he had made 10 of 34 field-goal attempts, including two of 10 attempts from three-point range.
Wembanyama’s performance against Houston showed that he can still influence a game through rebounding, defense, and scoring around the basket, even when his outside shot is not falling consistently.
The final possession, however, will likely stand out as the defining moment of his night. Thompson’s block denied the Spurs center a chance to tie the score and gave Houston the decisive advantage.
Despite the loss, San Antonio will look for Wembanyama to build on this performance as the young season continues.
Rockets vs Spurs Player Stats
The Houston Rockets received significant contributions from their leading scorers, while several San Antonio players helped keep the game close.
Houston Rockets Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|
| Alperen Sengun | 29 | 7 |
| Kevin Durant | 20 | Not specified |
| Amen Thompson | 20 | Not specified |
Sengun led Houston with 29 points, while Durant and Thompson each contributed 20 points. Thompson’s late defensive play was arguably the most important moment of the game.
San Antonio Spurs Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | 25 | 13 | Not specified |
| Dylan Harper | 20 | Not specified | Not specified |
| De’Aaron Fox | 19 | Not specified | 9 |
| Stephon Castle | 15 | 7 | 5 |
Dylan Harper found his rhythm in the second half and finished with 20 points on approximately 53 percent shooting. Fox added 19 points and nine assists, while Castle contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
The three-guard combination of Harper, Fox, and Castle combined for 54 points, giving San Antonio a promising offensive foundation despite the defeat.
Note: The player statistics above reflect the figures provided in the available game report. Unspecified statistics have not been estimated.
Why Are the Spurs Playing in Austin?
One of the biggest questions surrounding this matchup was why the San Antonio Spurs were playing in Austin instead of their usual home arena.
The game took place at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, rather than the Spurs’ regular home venue, the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Austin is within the Spurs’ broader regional market, making it a practical location for a game that can reach additional basketball fans across Central Texas. Hosting a Spurs game in Austin also gives supporters outside San Antonio an opportunity to watch the team in a different venue.
The Rockets-Spurs contest was part of a packed sports weekend in Austin, adding to the city’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.
For fans searching “why are the Spurs playing in Austin,” the key detail is that this particular game was staged at Moody Center, not in San Antonio.
Rockets vs Spurs: What Went Wrong for San Antonio?
The Spurs showed better competitiveness than they did in their season-opening loss to Oklahoma City, but several issues prevented them from securing their first victory.
Defensive lapses
San Antonio struggled to contain Sengun, who consistently found scoring opportunities inside. The Spurs also had difficulty maintaining defensive discipline during important stretches of the game.
Inconsistent shooting from Wembanyama
Although Wembanyama finished with 25 points, his shooting numbers through the first two games suggest that his offensive rhythm is still developing. Improved efficiency could help San Antonio turn close losses into victories.
Late-game execution
The final possession was the clearest example of San Antonio’s difficulties closing games. Fox found Wembanyama in a promising position, but Thompson’s block ended the opportunity.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised the team’s competitiveness and effort after the game, while emphasizing that the group needed to continue improving its habits.
San Antonio remains confident that greater familiarity with different lineups will help the team improve as the season progresses.
What the Rockets’ Victory Means
The Rockets improved to 2-0 with the 114-110 win, giving them a positive start to the 2026-27 NBA campaign.
Sengun’s performance demonstrated the importance of his interior scoring, while Durant provided another dependable offensive option. Thompson’s two-way impact also stood out, especially with the game on the line.
For Houston, the ability to win a close road-area matchup through both scoring and defense is an encouraging early-season sign.
The team will aim to maintain that momentum as it continues its schedule and works to establish consistency against Western Conference opponents.
Rockets vs Spurs: Where to Watch
Fans searching for Rockets vs Spurs where to watch should check the official NBA schedule and the teams’ broadcast listings for the relevant game.
Depending on the broadcast arrangements, viewers in the United States may be able to find NBA games through regional sports networks or national broadcasters, with eligible streaming options varying by market and subscription.
International viewers should check the NBA’s official viewing options for their country.
Because this Rockets-Spurs game was played on October 23, 2026, fans looking for the completed matchup can also check official NBA highlights, team channels, and game recaps for the decisive Amen Thompson block and the final score.
What Comes Next for the Rockets and Spurs?
Houston will look to build on its 2-0 start, with Sengun, Durant, and Thompson providing an encouraging combination of offense and defense.
San Antonio, meanwhile, will try to recover from its 0-2 beginning. Wembanyama’s improved performance, Harper’s second-half scoring, and Fox’s playmaking offer reasons for optimism, but the Spurs must reduce defensive mistakes and become more efficient in crucial moments.
The early-season schedule still gives both teams time to establish their identities. For the Spurs, the immediate objective will be turning improved performances into wins.
Final Takeaway
The Rockets vs Spurs matchup delivered an exciting finish, with Houston earning a 114-110 victory over San Antonio in Austin. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 29 points and seven rebounds, while Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson added 20 points each.
Wembanyama answered his difficult season opener with 25 points and 13 rebounds, but Thompson’s game-sealing block on the final possession proved decisive.
The Houston Rockets moved to 2-0, while the San Antonio Spurs dropped to 0-2. If San Antonio can improve its defensive consistency and late-game execution, the team will have opportunities to bounce back as the NBA season continues.
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