Alperen Sengun kept rolling, and the Rockets kept right on winning.
Houston blasted Boston 109-93 on Monday night at Toyota Center, pushing its record to 7-1 and leaving the Celtics with their five-game winning streak snapped. The win also moved the Rockets to the top of the 2026-27 Western Conference standings after a Memphis loss.
Sengun was the engine again. The two-time All-Star finished with 26 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, and he did it efficiently, going 12-of-15 from the field. After sitting out two games last week with back soreness - including Houston’s only loss of the season in Dallas - the Turkish big man has now helped the Rockets to back-to-back wins since returning.
Boston never found much comfort against Houston’s defensive pressure. Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. and Marcus Smart all had a hand in slowing Jayson Tatum, who finished with 19 points and 9 assists but shot just 5-of-16 and turned it over five times.
The Rockets also got strong support across the board. Jabari Smith Jr. posted 14 points and 10 rebounds while hitting 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
Amen Thompson added 14 points and 3 assists. Kevin Durant scored 12 points and chipped in 2 steals on 5-of-6 shooting.
Tari Eason supplied 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, while also knocking down 3-of-6 from deep.
Monday’s game was the middle stop on a three-game homestand for Houston. The stretch wraps up Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who come in at 4-3.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Central.
In Other News...
Alperen Sengun Is Giving Rockets Fans A New Offensive Debate
The Rockets offense has taken a real step forward this season, and a big part of that leap has come from an unusual source. Alperen Sengun has evolved into one of the teams central playmakers from the middle of the floor, giving Houston a different kind of engine than the one it expected when it built around Fred VanVleet as the lead guard. The result has been one of the leagues most efficient attacks, with Senguns passing opening up the floor and VanVleet still handling the steady, low-mistake work that keeps everything moving.
What makes the conversation interesting now is how the roles are starting to blur. Sengun has piled up big assist nights, including a 10-assist game against the Celtics, and he has been turning those flashes into something more consistent. VanVleet remains important because of the way he manages possessions and limits turnovers, but Houstons offense is increasingly asking a different question: when the ball is in the frontcourt, who is really setting the table? [Read more 🡒]
Jabari Smith Jr Just Opened A Bigger Option For The Rockets
Jabari Smith Jr. has been giving the Rockets more than floor spacing lately, and the latest example came in a matchup with Boston. With Houston short on its usual backup centers, Smith absorbed a heavier defensive load and spent much of the night handling the kind of physical work that can change how a team builds its rotation.
For a Rockets team that already values his shooting and length, the added versatility matters. Smiths ability to hold up against bigger opponents while still contributing on the glass gives Houston a different look when the frontcourt gets thin, and it opens the door to lineups that can stay competitive without sacrificing size, spacing or effort. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durants Quiet Night Leaves Rockets With A New Balancing Act
Kevin Durants first game in a Rockets uniform against the Celtics turned into a low-volume night by his standards, even in a comfortable 109-93 win. The veteran forward played in his 1,209th NBA game and finished with 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting, a line that reflected efficiency more than the kind of heavy usage Houston has usually associated with him.
Ime Udoka said he spoke with Durant about finding the right balance between staying involved in the offense and being more aggressive in looking for his own shot. It is the sort of adjustment the Rockets will keep monitoring as they try to blend Durants scoring instincts with a team structure that has to keep everyone engaged. [Read more 🡒]