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Rockets extend perfect season past Hawks at Toyota Center

Alperen Sengun scored 29 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 120-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The Rockets remain undefeated while the Hawks drop to 2-2.

Una Pennington· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

October 28, 20262 min read

Undefeated Season - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NBAFinal
Atlanta Hawks110
Houston Rockets120

October 26, 2026

Rockets Maintain Perfect Start

The Houston Rockets continued their flawless start to the season, defeating the visiting Atlanta Hawks 120-110 on Monday at Toyota Center. The home team improved its record to 4-0, while the Hawks fell to 2-2. Alperen Sengun was the offensive engine for Houston, finishing with a game-high 29 points and dishing out nine assists.

Jabari Smith Jr. provided crucial rim protection and board control, pulling down 12 rebounds. Attendance at the venue reached 18,055 as the Rockets displayed their depth and execution against a competitive Atlanta squad.

Early Back-and-Forth

The contest was tightly contested in the opening frames. The Hawks led 35-32 after the first quarter, with Jock Landale providing the spark by contributing four assists. In the second quarter, both teams traded blows, with Houston closing the half slightly ahead.

The Hawks managed to stay within striking distance, but the Rockets’ balanced attack prevented Atlanta from building a significant lead. Jalen Johnson was a constant threat for the visitors, scoring 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds throughout the game. The first half ended with the Rockets holding a narrow advantage, setting the stage for a decisive second half.

Third Quarter Shift

The momentum shifted decisively in the third quarter. Houston outscored Atlanta 28-19 in the period, establishing a comfortable cushion. Sengun continued to orchestrate the offense, finding open teammates for high-percentage shots.

The Hawks struggled to generate consistent offense against the Rockets’ defensive pressure. By the end of the third period, Houston had extended its lead to 89-76, effectively taking control of the game. The Rockets’ ability to move the ball quickly and exploit mismatches was evident in their scoring surge during this middle stretch.

Closing the Game

Houston maintained its composure in the final quarter, outscoring the Hawks 29-25 to secure the win. The Rockets’ lead was never in serious doubt after the third-quarter surge. Sengun’s playmaking and Smith Jr.’s rebounding ensured that Houston controlled the pace and limited second-chance opportunities for Atlanta.

The final score of 120-110 reflected the Rockets’ superior execution and team effort. With this victory, the Rockets remain the only undefeated team in the league, while the Hawks look to bounce back in their next matchup.

Sources

ESPN

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Una Pennington· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

Una Pennington covers Gunter high school and area college sports.

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