The Houston Rockets sent a message on Christmas night, and it came at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston never trailed and controlled the game from the opening tip, rolling to a convincing win behind balance, defensive intensity, and a reshuffled starting lineup featuring Tari Eason that paid off immediately.
Amen Thompson led the way with 26 points as six Rockets reached double figures, per ESPN. Yet the moment that stood out most came from Eason, whose return to the starting lineup drew strong praise from teammate Kevin Durant after the final buzzer.
The Rockets handled Los Angeles Lakers with ease, limiting the impact of stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic while dictating pace throughout. For Houston, the night represented more than just a marquee win. It marked a turning point for Eason after a difficult week.
From Scapegoat to Starter
Earlier in the week, Eason found himself at the center of postgame scrutiny following a late defensive breakdown against Sacramento. He rotated toward the paint as DeMar DeRozan attacked the rim, leaving Dennis Schroder open in the corner for a game-winning three. Eason owned the mistake publicly, accepting responsibility for the lapse.
That response mattered to Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who stayed true to his long-standing approach of backing players through adversity. On Christmas, Udoka elevated Eason into the starting lineup, replacing Josh Okogie, who had filled the role for much of the season while Fred VanVleet worked his way back from injury, per Rockets Wire.
Eason rewarded that trust right away. He scored seven points in the first quarter and finished with 13, providing instant energy on both ends. His four steals highlighted a defensive effort that disrupted Los Angeles all night. Using his length and physicality, Eason consistently pressured James and Doncic, forcing tough decisions and rushed possessions.
“It was a blessing,” Eason said after the game. “Ime finally trusted me to go out there. I just had to do what I do best. We had to get back to being dogs defensively, and I knew I could set the tone.”
Kevin Durant Highlights the “Vibe” Shift
Eason’s performance did not go unnoticed inside the locker room. Durant, who finished with 25 points and nine assists, pointed to Eason as a catalyst for the Rockets’ edge from the opening minutes.
“He just changed the whole vibe,” Durant said. “Insane defender who can guard one through five, great hands, can shoot it, and making plays.”
Durant also acknowledged the context surrounding Eason’s return. The forward missed more than a month with an oblique strain and dealt with additional lower-leg soreness during his ramp-up. Udoka kept Eason on a minutes restriction, roughly 25 minutes, and Christmas marked his heaviest workload since returning.
Durant joked that the conditioning showed at times, but the message remained clear. “I told him he has to get used to those starter minutes,” Durant said. “His lungs were gone a couple times. But he’s going to adjust, and we’re going to need him to have big games.”
The Rockets improved their road record and snapped a brief skid with the win, continuing a trend of growth fueled by defense and depth. When asked if he wants to remain in the starting lineup, Eason did not hesitate.
“Yes, yes, I do,” he said.
For Houston, Christmas delivered more than a statement win. It reinforced trust, resilience, and the emergence of a tone-setter who shifted the energy when it mattered most.
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