The Houston Rockets wrapped up their four-game road trip in style with a commanding 134-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. This win propels Houston (45-29) into a tie with Minnesota for the fifth spot in the Western Conference, while New Orleans (25-51) holds steady at 12th.
The spotlight shone brightly on All-Star center Alperen Sengun, who delivered a stellar performance with 36 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Sengun’s shooting was on fire, hitting 52.2% from the field and an impressive 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, matching his career high for three-pointers in a game. He also showcased his efficiency at the free-throw line, making 7-of-8 attempts.
Houston dominated the boards, out-rebounding New Orleans 66-51, with Sengun leading the charge. Notably, he committed zero turnovers, underscoring his control and precision on the court.
Sengun's offensive prowess has been on full display recently, scoring 30 or more points in three of the last four games. Since his return from a back injury on March 18, he’s been averaging 24.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game with a shooting accuracy of 62.1% from the field.
Sengun’s improved ball-handling is evident, with his turnovers reduced to 2.1 per game during this stretch, down from his season average of over three.
Other standout performances included:
- Jabari Smith Jr., who contributed 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, shooting 46.7% overall and 44.4% from three-point range.
- Kevin Durant, adding 20 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds with a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line.
- Amen Thompson, who chipped in 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 50% from the field.
- Tari Eason, with 15 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 50% overall and 60% from three-point range.
- Aaron Holiday, who scored 9 points and was +41 in his 25 minutes on the court.
On the Pelicans' side, Zion Williamson put up 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Dejounte Murray added 19 points and 6 assists.
Jae’Sean Tate continues to make his mark, playing ahead of Dorian Finney-Smith as a forward reserve and contributing to a +27 advantage during his 13 minutes on the floor.
The Rockets now head home for a three-game stint at Toyota Center, starting with a nationally televised matchup against the New York Knicks. With a strong home record of 25-10, Houston will look to maintain their momentum.
Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Central, available on NBC and Peacock.