With 2:13 left in the fourth quarter, the Houston Rockets sealed a 128-94 demolition of the Brooklyn Nets at the Toyota Center, extending Brooklyn’s winless streak to four games to start the 2025-2026 NBA season. The final buzzer came just after 1:00 AM CDT on October 28, 2025 — nearly six hours after tip-off — as Houston’s young core turned a 17-point first-quarter lead into a 34-point rout. The Nets, already without two key rotation players due to injury, looked flat from the opening tip, their offense sputtering under relentless defensive pressure. It wasn’t just the score. It was the silence in the stands — not from lack of energy, but from the Nets’ inability to respond.
A One-Sided First Quarter Set the Tone
The Rockets didn’t just start fast — they exploded. A 42-25 opening frame was fueled by T. Eason, who drained five three-pointers in the first 12 minutes, finishing with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting. His 71.4% accuracy from deep wasn’t luck; it was precision. Meanwhile, A. Sengun orchestrated the offense like a veteran, dropping 21 points and six assists with zero fouls. The Nets? Their best scorer at the break was T. Mann with 19, but even he looked isolated, forced into tough shots because the Rockets’ defense collapsed on every drive. By halftime, Houston led 71-60 — a lead that felt like 20.
Third Quarter: The Nail in the Coffin
There’s a moment in every blowout when the losing team stops trying to win and starts trying to survive. For Brooklyn, it came early in the third. After a 14-2 Rockets run sparked by R. Sheppard’s three straight assists, the Nets’ bench cleared their bench. Coach Jacque Vaughn didn’t even bother calling timeout. He just stared at the scoreboard — 103-77 — and let the clock run. The Nets scored just 17 points in the third. Their defense? Nonexistent. Houston shot 63% from the field in the period. C. Capela, usually a rim protector, was a non-factor — but he didn’t need to be. The Rockets didn’t need him to block shots; they just kept shooting over him. And they kept making them.
Brooklyn’s Struggles Go Beyond the Box Score
The numbers tell part of the story: 0-4, 35.7% shooting from three, 22 turnovers. But the real issue? Lack of identity. N. Claxton had five fouls by the third quarter and sat the entire fourth. N. Traore, the 20-year-old rookie, went 0-for-3 and looked overwhelmed. And M. Porter Jr., signed this offseason to be a sparkplug, finished with 18 points but zero impact in crunch time. The Nets have no go-to guy. No rhythm. No confidence. And when you’re already 0-4, those things don’t magically appear.
Houston’s Future Is Bright — and Fast
For the Rockets, this wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Their starting five — Sengun, Eason, Sheppard, Okogie, and Capela — averaged just 22.8 years old. They play with a freedom that’s rare in the NBA. No one’s afraid to shoot. No one’s afraid to fail. And when you combine that with elite spacing and ball movement — 32 assists on 49 field goals — you get basketball that’s fun to watch. Even the fans in the Toyota Center, who’ve endured years of rebuilding, stood and cheered when Eason hit his sixth three-pointer in the fourth. This team isn’t just winning. They’re evolving.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Nets’ next game is against the Atlanta Hawks on October 29, 2025 — a must-win if they want to avoid the worst start in franchise history. They’ll need to fix their defense, find a leader, and maybe even consider a lineup shakeup. Meanwhile, the Rockets host the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 30, 2025. If they can maintain this energy, they might be the surprise team of the season.
How to Watch — and What You Missed
The game was broadcast locally on Space City Home Network, which aired a two-and-a-half-hour pre-game show called "Rockets All Access" at 8:30 PM CDT on October 28. For out-of-market viewers, fuboTV, YouTube TV’s Sports Plus package, and the NBA League Pass Amazon Channel carried the live stream. The game’s official ID on ESPN was 401809971. If you didn’t watch, you missed a rare glimpse of a franchise rising — and another watching its future slip away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Brooklyn Nets’ start so bad?
Brooklyn’s 0-4 start stems from a lack of offensive cohesion and defensive discipline. Key players like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are sidelined, leaving a void in leadership and scoring. The team has no clear second option after Mann and Porter Jr., and their bench has been outscored by an average of 14.2 points per game. Defensive rotations are slow, and turnovers are frequent — 22 against Houston alone.
Who is T. Eason and why is he playing so well?
T. Eason, a 21-year-old wing drafted 14th in 2024, has become Houston’s breakout star. He’s averaging 19.3 points per game this season on 48% three-point shooting. His athleticism and fearless shot selection fit perfectly with the Rockets’ pace-and-space system. Against Brooklyn, he exploited mismatches, moved without the ball, and hit clutch threes — proving he’s more than just a prospect.
Is this game a sign the Rockets are contenders?
Not yet — but they’re trending that way. Houston’s young core has shown remarkable chemistry, and their defensive effort has improved dramatically from last season. They’re still inconsistent on the road and lack a true #1 option. But if Sengun and Eason continue developing, and their bench stays deep, they could sneak into the playoffs as a 7-8 seed in the West.
Why was the game broadcast on Space City Home Network?
Space City Home Network is the exclusive regional broadcaster for Houston Rockets games, owned by the team itself. It’s the only TV channel that carries live Rockets games in the Houston metro area, including surrounding counties. National networks like ESPN only pick up marquee matchups — this game wasn’t one, so local coverage was the only option.
Did any players get injured during the game?
No major injuries were reported. However, Brooklyn’s N. Claxton picked up five fouls and sat the entire fourth quarter, while Houston’s J. Okogie left briefly in the third with a cramp but returned. Both teams are monitoring their players ahead of the next game, but no significant setbacks are expected.
What’s the significance of the Rockets’ 128 points?
It’s the highest point total for Houston this season and their most since April 2024. It’s also the first time they’ve cracked 125 since the 2023-2024 season finale. Their offensive rating of 132.4 was the best in the NBA this year — a sign their system is finally clicking. With this kind of firepower, even a mediocre defense can carry them deep into the season.
