Houston Rockets 121, Atlanta Hawks 114 — Alperen Sengun scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets used a balanced offensive attack to beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 at State Farm Arena on October 25, 2026. The Rockets led by five at halftime and held off a late Atlanta surge to secure a solid road win.

Game overview

Houston built a 62-57 halftime lead behind strong inside play and transition scoring. Atlanta fought back in the third quarter, tying the game at 82-82, but the Rockets closed the period on a 9-5 run and then opened the fourth with a 7-2 spurt. The Hawks cut the lead to four with under three minutes left, but Houston’s defense tightened and Jalen Green hit a step-back jumper to seal it.

• Q1: Rockets 30-29
• Q2: Rockets 32-28
• Q3: Hawks 30-29
• Q4: Rockets 30-27
• Final: Rockets 121, Hawks 114

Key moments

The game’s turning point came early in the fourth. With Atlanta threatening to take the lead, Amen Thompson stole a Trae Young pass and finished a fast-break dunk. On the next possession, Sengun drew a double-team and found a cutting teammate for a layup. That quick four-point swing forced an Atlanta timeout and gave Houston breathing room.

Atlanta’s late run was powered by Young’s shot creation and Jalen Johnson’s energy on the offensive glass. The Hawks got within 112-108 with 2:40 remaining, but they missed two open threes on the next two possessions and Houston converted at the other end.

Tactical story

Houston’s size and physicality caused problems for Atlanta. Sengun operated from the elbow and the post, forcing the Hawks to help and opening cutters behind the defense. The Rockets also dominated the offensive boards, extending possessions and generating second-chance points. Defensively, Houston switched aggressively on Young’s pick-and-rolls, trying to take away his pull-up three and force him into contested floaters.

Atlanta wanted to play fast, and the Hawks found success when Young pushed the pace and found shooters in transition. But their half-court offense became too reliant on isolation and late-clock shot creation. Atlanta also turned the ball over 15 times, leading to 21 Houston points.

Standout players

Green led Houston with 28 points, including several tough shots in the fourth quarter. Sengun’s 24 points and 12 rebounds anchored the interior, while Thompson added 18 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Houston’s bench provided timely minutes and helped maintain energy when the starters rested.

Young finished with 30 points and 12 assists for Atlanta, and Johnson added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Clint Capela contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds, but the Hawks could not get enough stops in the final five minutes.

What it means

The road win is an encouraging result for Houston, showing the Rockets can win with defense and rebounding when their shooting cools. For Atlanta, the loss is a missed opportunity at home and a reminder that late-game execution and turnover control remain areas to improve.

Houston’s frontcourt advantage was the story of the night. The Rockets’ ability to control the paint and the glass gave them a steady edge, while Atlanta’s high-powered offense could not quite keep pace down the stretch.