Written with the help of artificial-intelligence tools and checked by automated controls.
This content was machine-translated from the French version.
The Houston Rockets continued their flawless start to the season by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 120-110 at Toyota Center. This fourth win in four games was hardly a stroll, however: Atlanta kept pace for a long time before giving way when Houston finally imposed its power near the rim and its accuracy in the biggest moments.
Alperen Sengun was the steadiest reference point of the night. The Turkish center posted 29 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double that would have perfectly summed up his influence. Kevin Durant added 22 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Rockets found several ways to attack without relying on a single shooter or one moment of brilliance.
The Turkish center posted 29 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double that would have perfectly summed up his influence.
Atlanta Resists Before the Break
The Hawks came out on the right foot. They led 66-63 at halftime thanks to disciplined team play and strong offensive activity from Jalen Johnson. The forward finished as Atlanta’s leading scorer with 21 points, supported by CJ McCollum’s 20. The game remained up for grabs midway through the third quarter, when an Aaron Wiggins basket gave the visitors a brief advantage.
Houston then shifted gears. The Rockets answered with a 9-0 run to take control, then contained Atlanta’s comeback with a stronger presence on the boards and more touches in the paint. Atlanta did cut the deficit to 95-93 early in the fourth quarter, but that rally proved to be a final warning rather than a turning point.
A 14-0 Run Slams the Door
The Texas response was brutal. Houston scored 14 straight points without conceding any, with outside shots from Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason coming in the middle of the run. Within a few possessions, the game went from a tense finish to a 109-93 lead. Atlanta was never able to regain its rhythm.
The rebounding differential loomed large: Houston finished with 61 boards to Atlanta’s 46. The Rockets also shot 53,1% compared with 42,9% for their opponents. Their total of 26 made free throws provided another valuable cushion when the game tightened up. Atlanta, meanwhile, converted only 11 of its 39 three-point attempts, far too poor a return to offset Houston’s dominance inside.
Two Different Lessons Going Forward
For Houston, this second win over Atlanta in three days confirms an already clear identity: a deep team capable of surviving absences and making its size count. Marcus Smart and Steven Adams were still unavailable, but Ime Udoka could rely on a deep enough rotation to preserve energy through the end.
Atlanta leaves with a loss that was less decisive than it might have been after three quarters, but with a recurring problem: the offense stalled at the worst possible moment. The Hawks will host Miami on Wednesday needing to rediscover their fluidity. The Rockets, meanwhile, will travel to Milwaukee with a perfect record and one certainty: their start is no accident of the schedule.