Amen Thompson blocks Victor Wembanyama in the final seconds as the Rockets hold off the Spurs 114-110 in Austin

Amen Thompson blocked Victor Wembanyama's tying layup try in the final seconds and the Houston Rockets held off the San Antonio Spurs 114-110 on Friday night at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Houston led 112-110 with five seconds left when De'Aaron Fox floated a pass over Jabari Smith Jr. to Wembanyama as the 7-foot-4 center spun toward the rim. The 6-foot-7 Thompson met him in the air and swatted the shot into the hands of Fred VanVleet, who made two free throws to seal it.

The sellout crowd of 16,723 groaned as the Rockets celebrated in front of the Spurs bench. Houston is 2-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season. San Antonio fell to 0-2.

A block that wowed Durant

Kevin Durant ran over to Thompson right after the play. "Man, what an incredible block," Durant said. "It was just insane."

Thompson said he expected the Spurs to go at one of Houston's smaller defenders late. "I jump pretty high," he said. "That's a game-winning block. We were playing hard. That's a great team we just beat."

Thompson finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Late in the third quarter he also dunked over Wembanyama off a Durant assist and made the free throw for a nine-point Houston lead.

Sengun takes over late

Alperen Sengun led all scorers with 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including eight straight, as he muscled inside for layups and free throws.

Durant had 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a homecoming of sorts for the former Texas Longhorns star, who was the national college player of the year in 2006-07. He hit a key 3-pointer with 1:34 left.

A 3 that did not count

Wembanyama banked in a long 3-pointer on the possession before the block, but it was wiped out because Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had called timeout with five seconds left before the shot left his hand.

Wembanyama finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Dylan Harper scored 20, including a driving dunk that pulled San Antonio within two with 46 seconds left. Fox added 19 points and nine assists.

VanVleet hit a 26-foot 3 at the halftime buzzer to put Houston up 61-59 after the Spurs scored nine points in three trips late in the half.

The Spurs treat Austin as part of their home region. They have played nine games there since the 2022-23 season and have two more scheduled for February.

Up next

Both teams play again Saturday night. The Rockets visit the Atlanta Hawks and the Spurs visit the Dallas Mavericks.