Overview
- Houston beat Atlanta 117-95, ending the Hawks’ 11-game run that had been their longest since 2014-15.
- Kevin Durant scored 25 points and Jabari Smith Jr. added 23, while Alperen Sengun posted 15 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
- The Rockets shot 51% from the field and 47% from three (14-for-30), dominated the glass 51-37 and broke the game open with a 39-22 third quarter.
- Reed Sheppard started over Tari Eason to boost spacing and playmaking, contributing 14 points and four threes as Udoka signaled the lineup will get an extended look.
- Atlanta fell to 38-32 after shooting 42% overall and 26% from deep, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 21 points; next up, Houston hosts Miami on Saturday and the Hawks host Golden State.