NBA: Kings snap 7-game skid with win over Rockets

DeMar DeRozan led six Kings in double figures as Sacramento ended a seven-game losing streak with a 111-98 win over the Houston Rockets, fueled by a late surge from Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook. Rookie Dylan Cardwell also notched career highs, helping the Kings dominate the fourth quarter.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / Reuters

January 12, 2026

Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) is hit by Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, USA, on January 11, 2026.

Justine Willard / Reuters

DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points to lead six Sacramento players in double figures as the Kings snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 111-98 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

The Kings shot 49% from the field and outscored Houston 19-8 over the final 5:55 to secure their first win since December 27. Malik Monk made back-to-back three-pointers during a 10-0 run, giving Sacramento a 104-92 lead with 2:30 remaining.

After Kevin Durant scored on Houston’s next possession, Russell Westbrook drained a three-pointer to extend the Kings’ lead to 107-94 with just over two minutes left.

Zach LaVine contributed 18 points, Westbrook added 15 points and 10 assists, Monk had 15 points, Maxime Raynaud scored 12, and Precious Achiuwa chipped in 10. Rookie center Dylan Cardwell recorded career highs with nine points and 10 rebounds, helping Sacramento dominate Houston 33-22 in the fourth quarter during the start of their seven-game homestand.

For Houston, Amen Thompson matched his season high with 31 points, adding 13 rebounds and six assists. Durant scored 23 points, and Alperen Sengun contributed 19. Sengun, returning after missing three games with a right ankle sprain, also had nine rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes.

The game opened with Houston leading 23-22 after the first quarter, but DeRozan sparked Sacramento with 11 points in the second, giving the Kings a 51-48 halftime lead while shooting 52.3% from the field. Sacramento moved ahead 74-69 on Achiuwa’s jumper with 3:21 left in the third quarter and led 78-76 at the end of the period.

Westbrook’s basket with 8:21 remaining put the Kings ahead 92-85, but the Rockets fought back, closing to 94-92 on Sengun’s layup with 5:20 left.

DeRozan, who finished 8-of-13 from the field, became the 23rd player in NBA history to score 26,000 career points.

Sacramento played without guard Dennis Schroder, who began a three-game suspension following an incident with the Lakers’ Luka Doncic in December.

—Field Level Media/Reuters