The Houston Rockets improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season with a 121-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, October 24, at State Farm Arena. Kevin Durant scored 22 points, while Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason added 19 apiece as Houston held off a late Atlanta rally.
Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun each recorded a double-double, with Thompson finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds and Sengun contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. added 14 points, giving Houston seven players in double figures.
The Rockets built a 20-point advantage before Atlanta cut the deficit to five in the closing minutes. Durant helped secure the win by making two free throws with 18.9 seconds remaining, restoring Houston’s cushion and preventing the Hawks from completing the comeback.
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 26 points, nine rebounds and 16 assists, matching his career high in assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels each scored 18 points, while Aaron Wiggins added 16 off the bench in his first home game with the Hawks following his offseason trade from Oklahoma City.
Houston’s offensive rebounding helped sustain its advantage. The Rockets collected 13 offensive rebounds and converted them into 22 second-chance points, continuing a strength that defined their offense last season.
Sheppard also delivered an important shooting performance after a slow start to the season. The guard made five of 11 three-point attempts and finished with 19 points and seven assists, recovering from a 1-of-6 start from beyond the arc across his first two games.
Atlanta struggled to match Houston’s perimeter production, making 13 of 49 three-point attempts. The Hawks converted just five of 22 attempts from long range in the first half, limiting their ability to keep pace with the Rockets before their late push.
Houston shot 48% from the field and made 14 three-pointers, while Atlanta finished at 45% overall. The Rockets also converted 21 of 23 free throws, compared with 15 of 21 for the Hawks.
The teams will meet again Monday, October 26, in Houston to conclude their home-and-home series.
