Houston continued its flawless start to the 2026-27 NBA season with a commanding 132-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. The win improves the Rockets’ record to 5-0, keeping them atop the Western Conference and reinforcing the team’s early‑season momentum.
Key performers
Veteran guard Fred VanVleet contributed 24 points, shooting 7‑of‑14 from the field and 4‑of‑9 from three‑point range. VanVleet, who returned from a torn ACL that sidelined him all of last season, sparked a decisive run in the third quarter, scoring 15 straight points to push the lead to 81‑61.
Rookie guard Amen Thompson added 23 points on efficient shooting, connecting on 10 of 16 attempts. Thompson’s energy helped the Rockets maintain a high‑tempo offense that shot 54.8 percent from the field.
Other notable contributions came from Kevin Durant, who added 18 points, and Bogdan Bogdanović, who tallied 16 points in just 15 minutes of play. Houston also excelled at the free‑throw line, converting 23 of 26 attempts.
Milwaukee’s struggle
The Bucks, now 1‑4, were unable to match Houston’s firepower. Tyler Herro led Milwaukee with 23 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19. The Bucks shot poorly from beyond the arc, making only 4 of 24 attempts in the first half, and managed just one free‑throw all night.
Houston seized control early, outscoring the Bucks 34‑14 in the second quarter to build a 57‑35 halftime lead. The Rockets opened the period with an eight‑point run and extended the lead with a tip‑in from Clint Capela, making the score 49‑30.
Injuries and roster notes
Houston was without center Alperen Şengün, the league’s leading scorer at 24.5 points per game, who sat out with low‑back soreness. Additionally, center Steven Adams missed the game due to a right calf strain, and guard Marcus Smart was sidelined with a left forearm strain, marking his third consecutive absence.
Looking ahead
The Rockets will travel to Dallas on Friday for their next NBA Cup matchup, while the Bucks host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday as they attempt to rebound from the loss.
Houston’s early dominance underscores the team’s depth and resilience, qualities that will be essential as the season progresses and the competition intensifies across the league.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
