Sengun has 29 points as Rockets stay unbeaten with 120-110 win over Hawks

Alperen Sengun scored 29 points, including nine assists and nine rebounds, as the Houston Rockets secured their unbeaten season with a 120-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. The Rockets maintained their perfect record with a 4-0 start, having already won a close 121-114 game against the Hawks on Saturday night.

A 7-0 run by the Hawks, highlighted by a three-pointer from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, brought the score to 95-93 early in the fourth quarter. Houston responded with a 14-0 stretch, including three-pointers from Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason, extending their lead to 109-93 with less than seven minutes remaining in the contest. Jalen Johnson scored for the Hawks following that surge, but the Rockets continued their dominance with an 8-0 run, pushing their advantage to 117-95 with under five minutes left on the clock.

Jalen Johnson contributed 21 points for the Hawks, while CJ McCollum added 20 points. Kevin Durant scored 22 points for the Rockets, and Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 16 points, five assists, and led the team with 12 rebounds. Atlanta took a one-point lead after a basket by Aaron Wiggins in the third quarter. The Rockets played without Marcus Smart (forearm strain) and Steven Adams (strained leg muscle), both sidelined for a second consecutive game.

Coach Ime Udoka indicated that Smart might return for the next game, but Adams would be out for at least another week.