Dennis Schroder hits game-winner as Kings come back to beat Rockets in OT

Field Level Media|published: Mon 22nd December, 01:22 2025

Dec 21, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) scores a basket in overtime against the Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Dennis Schroder swished a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in overtime to give the Sacramento Kings a dramatic 125-124 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

Schroder had 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds off the bench as Sacramento rebounded from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit to halt a five-game losing streak.

DeMar DeRozan had 27 points and nine assists and Keegan Murray scored 26 for the Kings, who won for just the seventh time in 29 games this season. Russell Westbrook had 21 points and 13 rebounds and nailed a 3-pointer to force overtime with 14.2 seconds remaining.

Alperen Sengun scored 28 points and Kevin Durant added 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Houston, which fell in OT for the third time in four games to start this six-game road trip. The Rockets lost the other two to the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans.

Amen Thompson had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and Jabari Smith Jr. also had 18 points for Houston. Tari Eason had 16 points and fellow reserve Reed Sheppard scored 15.

Smith made two of three free throws with 10.4 seconds left to snap a tie and give Houston a two-point lead. DeRozan then drove to the hoop and kicked the ball to the wide-open Schroder, who knocked down the game-winning shot.

Durant's jumper with under a second remaining bounced off the back rim.

Houston connected on 47.9% of its shots, including 16 of 38 from 3-point range.

The Kings made 46.3% of their attempts and were 12 of 32 from behind the arc.

Smith buried a 3-pointer to give the Rockets a 100-86 lead with 9:58 remaining in the game before Sacramento's frantic dash.

The Kings responded with 12 straight points. Murray had seven points during the burst and Schroder hit a trey to cut the deficit to 100-98 with 8:13 left.

The Rockets later led by five before DeRozan's dunk with 43.9 seconds left prior to Westbrook's tying trey.

Sengun had 18 first-half points as the Rockets led 68-57 at the break. DeRozan had 15 in the half for the Kings.

Houston took a 91-82 advantage into the final stanza.

--Field Level Media