Houston – The Rockets bounced back on Monday night, halting a two‑game slide with a 110‑100 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Veteran forward Kevin Durant contributed 23 points, while rookie center Alperen Sengün added a solid 20, providing the scoring punch the team needed.
Denver’s star guard Jamal Murray kept the game close, sinking two free throws to trim the lead to six with about five minutes left. However, a missed pair of free throws by Christian Braun gave Houston the chance to extend the margin. Sengün and rookie guard Amen Thompson answered with key baskets, pushing the lead to 100‑90 with four minutes remaining.
The win comes after the Rockets dropped consecutive games to Minnesota and Phoenix following an impressive 7‑1 start to the season. The team’s early‑season surge had fans hopeful, and this victory restores confidence as the schedule tightens.
Murray posted a personal best of 38 points, marking his fourth game of the season with at least 34 points. Nikola Jokic added 25 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, but the Nuggets could not overcome the Rockets’ balanced attack.
In the third quarter, Houston built a 16‑point lead before Denver rallied with an 18‑2 run to tie the game at 60‑60. The Nuggets relied on three‑point shooting from Jokic, Murray and Cameron Johnson, while the Rockets struggled, missing nine straight shots and turning the ball over twice. Durant’s free throws kept Houston afloat during that stretch.
The turning point arrived when Tari Eason scored the Rockets’ first field goal in over six and a half minutes, sparking an 11‑2 run that gave Houston a 71‑62 edge. From there, the Rockets maintained control, with Sengün’s short basket and a three‑pointer from Fred VanVleet extending the lead to 96‑87 with 5½ minutes left.
Looking ahead, the Rockets will host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, offering a chance to test their momentum against a perennial contender. Meanwhile, the Nuggets travel to Memphis on Wednesday to face the Grizzlies, seeking to rebound from the loss.
Key Takeaways
- Durant and Sengün combined for 43 points, leading the Rockets to a crucial win.
- Murray’s 38‑point effort fell short as the Nuggets could not close the gap.
- The Rockets’ defense tightened in the final quarter, limiting Denver to just ten points after the 70‑minute mark.
- Upcoming games: Rockets vs. Warriors (home), Nuggets vs. Grizzlies (away).
Fans can look forward to a competitive stretch of games as both teams aim to solidify their positions in the Western Conference.
Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
