The San Antonio Spurs are on a mission to prove their dominance in the Western Conference as they gear up for a thrilling showdown against the Houston Rockets. But can they secure a fourth consecutive win? The stakes are high!
On January 20, 2026, the Spurs (30-13) will face the Rockets (25-15) in a highly anticipated game. This Western Conference clash promises to be intense, especially considering the recent form of both teams.
Houston, we have a problem for the Rockets, as they've struggled against division opponents, posting a 3-4 record. However, they lead the league in offensive rebounds, thanks to the formidable Steven Adams, who grabs 4.5 per game. But here's where it gets interesting: the Spurs are no slouch in the rebound department, leading the conference with 34.9 defensive rebounds per game, courtesy of the talented Victor Wembanyama, who averages 8.9.
From beyond the arc, the Rockets have been slightly less accurate than the Spurs this season, making 11.4 3-pointers per game compared to San Antonio's 13.1. And this is the part most people miss: the Spurs have been more efficient, allowing only 13.4 made 3-pointers per game, while the Rockets allow 13.6.
In their previous encounter on November 8, the Spurs emerged victorious with a 121-110 win. Harrison Barnes was the hero, scoring 24 points, while Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 25 points. This time around, the Rockets will be eager to turn the tables.
Key players to watch: Kevin Durant, the Rockets' star, consistently delivers with 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Amen Thompson has been on fire lately, averaging 20.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in his last 10 games. For the Spurs, Wembanyama is a force to be reckoned with, scoring 24.8 points and grabbing 10.8 rebounds per game. Julian Champagnie has been on target from downtown, averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers in his last 10 outings.
Over their last 10 games, the Rockets have been evenly matched, going 5-5, while the Spurs hold a slight edge with a 6-4 record. The Rockets have averaged 106.8 points, 50.3 rebounds, 21.8 assists, 8 steals, and 5.3 blocks, while the Spurs have put up 111.4 points, 47.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.2 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game.
Injury woes: The Rockets will miss Fred VanVleet for the season due to an ACL injury, and Tari Eason's ankle injury keeps him day-to-day. Steven Adams is also out with an ankle injury. The Spurs will be without Devin Vassell due to a thigh injury.
As the teams prepare for this exciting matchup, the question remains: Can the Spurs extend their winning streak, or will the Rockets rise to the challenge and spoil their rivals' party? Share your predictions in the comments below!
