Houston continued its flawless start to the 2026‑27 NBA season, beating the Atlanta Hawks 120‑110 on Monday night. The win moved the Rockets to 4‑0, the best record in the league after the opening week.
Key performances
Alperen Sengun was the night’s standout, posting a near‑triple‑double with 29 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Kevin Durant added 22 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 16 points, five assists and a team‑high 12 rebounds. The Hawks’ top scorer was Jalen Johnson, who finished with 21 points, and veteran CJ McCollum added 20.
Game flow
The Rockets opened strong, building a double‑digit lead early. Atlanta rallied with a 7‑0 run that cut the margin to 95‑93 early in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a three‑pointer from Nickeil Alexander‑Walker. Houston responded with a decisive 14‑0 spurt, fueled by three‑point shots from Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason, pushing the lead to 109‑93 with under seven minutes remaining.
After a brief dunk by Johnson, the Rockets closed the game with an 8‑0 run, extending the advantage to 117‑95 with less than five minutes left. The final minutes saw Atlanta score a few points, but Houston maintained control to seal the win.
Injuries and outlook
Houston entered the game without Marcus Smart (forearm strain) and Steven Adams (strained leg muscle) for the second straight night. Coach Ime Udoka indicated that Smart could return in the next matchup, while Adams is expected to miss at least another week.
Next up, the Rockets travel to Milwaukee for a Wednesday night contest, while the Hawks host Miami.
What this means for Houston fans
The early‑season success has energized the Rockets’ fan base, reinforcing confidence in the team’s roster and coaching staff. Maintaining an unbeaten record at this stage sets a positive tone for the months ahead and provides a strong foundation for a playoff push.
Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
