76ers vs Houston Rockets: Match Player Stats 2025-26

Tyrese Maxey dropped 36 points in overtime, and Joel Embiid flirted with a triple-double, as the Philadelphia 76ers outlasted the Houston Rockets 128-122 on January 22, 2026. Just a few months later, Kevin Durant and the Rockets turned the tables with a 113-102 win on April 9 — their eighth straight victory — keeping both teams locked in a tight playoff race down the stretch of the 2025-26 season.

Jan 22 result: 128-122 (OT) · Apr 9 result: 113-102 Rockets win · Rockets record post-Apr 9: 51-29 · 76ers record post-Apr 9: 43-37

Two games, two different outcomes, and a rivalry that played out exactly how the standings suggested it would. The numbers tell a clear story about which players carried each team and where the games were won and lost.

Box Scores and Quarter Breakdowns

Both games followed a similar arc: close through three quarters, then one team pulled away in the final frame. On January 22, the 76ers held a 96-94 edge entering the fourth quarter and eventually forced overtime where they outscored the Rockets 13-7 (ESPN Box Score).

The 76ers shot 55.1% from the field as a team, grabbed 46 rebounds, and dished out 41 assists — a complete offensive showing that StatMuse’s game log confirms (StatMuse Game Log).

By April 9 at Toyota Center, the Rockets flipped the script. They built a 73-56 lead through three quarters (35-38-23-17 by quarter) and never let the 76ers within single digits in the final frame (ESPN Game Summary).

The 76ers managed just 102 points — 26 fewer than their January total — and their 26-point first quarter proved to be their best frame of the night. The April performance highlighted how differently each team executed when the stakes were highest.

Star Player Performances

Philadelphia’s Side: Maxey and Embiid Carry the Load

Tyrese Maxey was the story on January 22, scoring 36 points on 15-of-28 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He added 10 assists with only 3 turnovers in 43 minutes of action, and his overtime scoring — six of his 36 points came after regulation — sealed the win (ESPN Game Summary). ESPN’s recap specifically highlighted how Maxey attacked in the extra period when the Rockets keyed their defense on Joel Embiid.

Embiid finished with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists — a near-triple-double that demonstrated his two-way impact even when his shot wasn’t falling at its usual rate. His 13-of-20 clip from the field was efficient enough to keep Houston’s defense honest.

On April 9, Maxey scored 24 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field with just 1-of-1 free throws (ESPN Game Summary). He added 5 assists and 5 three-pointers, but the volume and efficiency dropped compared to January. Embiid’s absence from the April 9 box score highlights suggests his availability varied between the two matchups — a factor that explains the 26-point scoring gap between games.

Andre Drummond filled the rebounding void on April 9, pulling down 15 boards (13 defensive, 2 offensive) to lead the 76ers on the glass. His effort on the glass gave Philadelphia extra possessions they desperately needed against a hot Rockets team.

Houston’s Side: Durant Delivers Twice

Kevin Durant matched Maxey point-for-point on January 22 with 36 points on 13-of-21 shooting and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Despite the loss, Durant’s efficiency was exceptional — he carried the Rockets’ offense when the team struggled to find rhythm in the second half. According to the NBA’s official highlights, Durant’s performance was the foundation of Houston’s 122-point output even without a strong supporting cast on that night (ESPN Box Score).

On April 9, Durant scored 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting with 6-of-8 free throws, adding 7 rebounds and 5 assists (NBA YouTube Highlights). He didn’t need to score as much because the Rockets had built a commanding lead by halftime, but his all-around contribution — points, boards, playmaking — kept the 76ers from making any serious runs.

Jabari Smith Jr. added 19 points with 5 rebounds on April 9, providing the secondary scoring punch that Houston needed after Durant drew so much attention from Philadelphia’s defense. The rookie’s growth as a second option showed in how he capitalized on open looks when defenses collapsed on Durant.

Team Records and Standings Impact

Before the January 22 game, the Rockets were 26-16 overall and 11-13 on the road — a record that underscored their struggles away from Houston. The 76ers entered at 24-19, a middling 12-12 at home that suggested inconsistency even with their core healthy. The overtime win improved Philadelphia’s home mark and handed Houston its 16th road loss of the season.

By April 9, the stakes had shifted. The Rockets were already locked into a strong position — their 51-29 record after the win represented elite form, and the eight-game winning streak proved they were playing their best basketball at the right time (NBA YouTube Highlights). The 76ers fell to 43-37, a record that left them fighting for a play-in tournament spot rather than a guaranteed top-6 seed.

The 26-game improvement from Houston between those dates tells the broader story: the Rockets evolved from a .619 team in January into a .638 team by April — momentum that matters significantly in a competitive Western Conference.

What separated Houston down the stretch was their ability to win on the road. After starting 11-13 away from Toyota Center in January, the Rockets closed the season with enough consistency to secure a top-4 seed. For Philadelphia, the road record (21-19 before April 9) suggested a team that could compete anywhere — but their overall record of 43-37 left them vulnerable to the play-in tournament.

Notable Incidents and Coach Reactions

Nick Nurse, Philadelphia’s head coach, was particularly animated after the January 22 game, expressing frustration over a missed goaltending call on Kevin Durant that occurred at the end of the fourth quarter (ESPN Box Score). The non-call denied the 76ers a potential stop before overtime, and Nurse made his displeasure clear in postgame comments.

“Tyrese Maxey scored six of his 36 points in overtime, leading the 76ers to a hard-fought victory.”

— ESPN Game Summary

Beyond coaching reactions, Paul George’s rim protection stood out — a massive block that ESPN’s box score recaps flagged as a key defensive moment that shifted momentum during the January 22 overtime sequence.

On the Houston side, Amen Thompson’s 42 minutes with just 1 turnover on April 9 demonstrated the poise the Rockets needed from their young players in high-leverage situations. Meanwhile, Tyrese Eason’s 9 rebounds (6 defensive, 3 offensive) in January gave Houston valuable second-chance opportunities that nearly carried them to victory.

“Kevin Durant scores 29 as the Rockets beat the 76ers 113-102 for their eighth straight win.”

— CBS Sports

Head-to-Head History and the Bigger Picture

Across 157 regular-season meetings, the 76ers hold a narrow 79-78 edge over the Rockets — a margin of exactly one win that reflects how evenly these franchises have matched up historically (Land of Basketball). This data comes from a community-maintained source, so the exact win totals warrant acknowledgment, but the competitive balance is well-established across multiple NBA databases.

“The Rockets defeated the 76ers, 113-102 tonight in Houston, extending their winning streak to eight games.”

— NBA YouTube Highlights

The 2025-26 season meetings added two more data points to a rivalry that has produced memorable games for decades. The January 22 overtime thriller and the April 9 wire-to-wire victory represent different versions of both teams — one fighting for every extra possession, the other executing a dominant game plan on both ends.

For the Rockets, the eight-game winning streak that culminated in the April 9 victory signals they have the depth and composure to compete deep into the playoffs. For the 76ers, the inconsistency that marked their 43-37 record leaves them dependent on Maxey and Embiid delivering whenever both are healthy.

Related reading: Denver Nuggets vs Lakers Match Player Stats · Orlando Magic vs Pacers Match Player Stats

Frequently Asked Questions

The implication for both franchises is straightforward: the Rockets have built genuine contender depth, while the 76ers’ ceiling still depends heavily on Embiid’s availability and Maxey’s consistency. For Houston, the remaining schedule is a chance to cement a top-4 seed. For Philadelphia, every game between now and the playoffs is essentially a must-win to avoid the play-in tournament.