So, if you’re looking for the quick answer to who won the Rockets game last night, it was the Sacramento Kings. Honestly, it wasn't even that close. The Kings took it 111-98 at the Golden 1 Center, and if you’re a Rockets fan, this one kinda stung because Sacramento came into the game with a pretty abysmal record.
You’ve probably noticed the Rockets have been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. One night Kevin Durant is making history by passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list—which he did just a couple of days ago against Portland—and the next, the team is struggling to find any offensive rhythm against a sub-.500 squad.
The game on January 11, 2026, was basically a story of two different teams. The Rockets looked gassed. Maybe it's the road trip, or maybe it’s just the mid-season grind, but they fell to 22-14 while the Kings managed to scrape together their ninth win of the season.
The Breakdown: Why the Rockets Lost to the Kings
It’s easy to look at a box score and see a loss, but the "how" matters. Sacramento’s DeMar DeRozan was basically doing whatever he wanted. He finished with 22 points and 6 assists, carving up a Rockets defense that usually prides itself on being top-five in the league.
Houston’s bright spot? Amen Thompson.
The kid was everywhere. He put up 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. It’s wild seeing a guard impact the glass like that, but he couldn't do it alone. The rest of the starting lineup struggled significantly. Jabari Smith Jr. and the veteran core just couldn't get the lid off the basket from deep. When you shoot poorly on the road, you're gonna have a bad time.
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Key Stats From Last Night
- Final Score: Kings 111, Rockets 98
- Top Scorer: Amen Thompson (31 points)
- Sacramento Hero: DeMar DeRozan (22 points, 6 assists)
- The Turning Point: A 33-point fourth-quarter explosion by the Kings that put the game out of reach.
The Rockets actually led at various points in the first half, but the energy just evaporated. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Sacramento was playing with house money. Zach LaVine, who’s been the subject of about a million trade rumors lately, chipped in 18 points for the Kings, looking surprisingly comfortable against Houston's perimeter defenders.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rockets Season
A lot of folks see a loss to a "bad" team like Sacramento and assume the wheels are falling off. That’s not really the case.
Houston is currently sitting at 7th in the Western Conference. They’ve got a winning record, a superstar in KD who is still playing at an elite level, and a young core that is actually developing. But the Western Conference in 2026 is a meat grinder. You have the Thunder at the top looking nearly invincible, and the Spurs—led by a much more experienced Victor Wembanyama—breathing down everyone’s neck.
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The Rockets' problem isn't talent. It's consistency on the road. They are 11-2 at the Toyota Center but have struggled to keep that same energy when they travel.
The KD Factor
Let’s talk about Kevin Durant for a second. Even in a loss, the man is a walking highlight. Passing Wilt Chamberlain is a massive deal. We are talking about one of the most dominant forces in basketball history, and KD just moved past him for 7th on the career scoring list. It’s sort of surreal to see a Rockets jersey on him while he does it, but he’s been the steady hand for this franchise all year.
However, against the Kings, KD was relatively quiet compared to his usual standards. When the primary scoring option isn't dropping 30+, the Rockets' offensive schemes tend to get a bit stagnant.
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The Road Ahead: What the Rockets Need to Fix
Basically, the Rockets need to figure out their bench rotation. Last night, the second unit was outscored significantly. You can't rely on Amen Thompson to have a career night every time the starters are having an off game.
Coach Ime Udoka was visibly frustrated on the sidelines. You could see him barking about defensive assignments and missed rotations. If this team wants to be a serious contender in the playoffs this spring, they can't afford to drop games to teams sitting at the bottom of the standings.
Next Steps for Rockets Fans
- Watch the Chicago Game: The Rockets are back in action tonight, January 13, against the Bulls. It’s a chance to bounce back immediately and fix those defensive lapses.
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: With the February deadline approaching, keep an eye on whether the Rockets look for one more veteran shooter to help spacing.
- Check the Standings: Even with the loss, Houston is in the hunt. Don't panic yet; the West is tight, and one winning streak changes everything.
The reality of the NBA is that 82 games is a long time. Last night was a dud, no doubt about it. But for a team that was struggling to win 20 games a few years ago, being 22-14 in January is a position most fans would have taken in a heartbeat.
Keep an eye on the injury report for the Chicago game. If the Rockets can shore up their perimeter defense and get a bit more scoring help for KD and Amen, they should be able to put this Sacramento loss in the rearview mirror pretty quickly.
The Kings might have won the game last night, but the Rockets' season is far from over. Watch the tape, fix the rotations, and get ready for the next one. That's the only way forward in this league.