Sengun's 29 points fuel Rockets past Hawks in Houston

A Decisive Fourth Quarter

The Houston Rockets secured their fourth consecutive victory on Monday, overcoming a tightly contested first half to defeat the visiting Atlanta Hawks 120-110. The game remained deadlocked through the opening 24 minutes before Houston pulled away in the final period, driven by a dominant performance from Alperen Sengun.

First Half Tightness

Houston entered the game as the home team at Toyota Center, but Atlanta started aggressively. The Hawks took an early lead, with Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributing to a 35-point first quarter for Atlanta. Houston responded with efficient scoring from Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr., keeping the score level at 32-35 after one.

The second quarter saw both teams exchange blows in a high-scoring affair. Jock Landale was active for the Hawks, while the Rockets relied on three-point shooting from Aaron Wiggins and CJ McCollum. The half ended with the score tied at 66-66, setting up a dramatic third quarter.

Third Quarter Shift

The third quarter began with Atlanta regaining the lead, but Houston’s offense found its rhythm. Alperen Sengun began to take control, scoring inside and drawing fouls. Kevin Durant added points for the Hawks, but it was Sengun who consistently answered. By the end of the third, Houston had taken a narrow lead, 89-85, thanks to key baskets from Luguentz Dort and Sengun himself.

Closing It Out

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to Houston. The Rockets outscored Atlanta 31-25 in the final period, building an insurmountable lead. Sengun finished with a game-high 29 points and added nine assists, orchestrating the offense effectively. Jabari Smith Jr. controlled the glass with 12 rebounds for Houston.

For Atlanta, Jalen Johnson led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds. Jock Landale contributed four assists off the bench. Despite a strong effort from Durant, the Hawks could not close the gap in the final minutes.

Final Record Update

With this win, the Houston Rockets improved to 4-0 on the season. The Atlanta Hawks fell to 2-2. The game was played at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, with an attendance of 18,055.

Sources

ESPN