Sengun scores 29 as Rockets defeat Hawks 120-110

Houston Rockets guard Alperen Sengun scored a team-high 29 points to lead the Rockets to a 120-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The win keeps Houston undefeated this season.

Sengun finished with nine rebounds and nine assists. He led a 14-2 run in the third quarter that gave the Rockets a comfortable lead. In the fourth quarter, his transition dunk helped spark a 20-2 rally that pushed Houston ahead 115-95.

Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds. Kevin Durant contributed 22 points and nine rebounds. Bench players Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard each scored 13 points. Amen Thompson added 15 points and five rebounds.

The Rockets shot 53.1 percent from the field. They scored 26 points in transition. The team missed 12 of its first 16 three-point attempts in the first half but found its range in the second half.

Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 21 points and nine rebounds. CJ McCollum scored 20 points and made four three-pointers. Luguentz Dort scored 11 points and Nickell Alexander-Walker added 12. The Hawks lost their second straight game to Houston.

Atlanta took a three-point lead into the break at 66-63. The Rockets erased an early deficit in the second quarter after McCollum tied the game at 46-46. Sheppard and Smith hit key three-pointers in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 20 points.

There were five lead changes and two ties in the third quarter before Houston took control. Eason grabbed eight rebounds. The game featured a balanced scoring attack from both sides.