Houston's offensive firepower proved too much for Atlanta to handle Friday night as the Rockets methodically dismantled the Hawks' impressive winning streak, cruising to a convincing 117-95 victory at home. The loss snapped what had been the Hawks' longest winning streak in over a decade—a remarkable 11-game stretch that had positioned the franchise firmly in play-in tournament contention.
Kevin Durant led the charge for Houston with 25 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 of his own to power the Rockets' offensive attack. The pair's combined 48 points set the tone early and often against an Atlanta defense that simply couldn't find answers. Alperen Sengun orchestrated Houston's attack from the inside, nearly recording a triple-double with 15 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds—a well-rounded performance that showcased his evolving two-way game.
The Rockets' resurgence proved particularly timely given their recent struggles. Coming into Friday's matchup, Houston had won just four of its previous ten games and was still reeling from consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Lakers. This victory offers a genuine spark for a team that had looked inconsistent heading into the contest.
Atlanta's offensive efficiency told the story of the game's outcome. The Hawks managed just a 42% field goal percentage while their three-point shooting was especially concerning—the team connected on a mere 9 of 35 attempts from beyond the arc for a dismal 26%. By contrast, Houston's shooting was nearly flawless. The Rockets knocked down 51% of their overall attempts and showcased impressive depth from distance, connecting on 14 of 30 three-pointers for a 47% clip.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta with 21 points in a losing effort, while CJ McCollum contributed 17 and rookie Zaccharie Risacher chipped in 16. Despite individual performances, the Hawks' depth couldn't compensate for their lackluster shooting night or Houston's relentless offensive execution.
The game was essentially decided in the third quarter when Houston's superiority became undeniable. Leading 62-54 at the intermission, the Rockets delivered a crushing blow by outscoring the Hawks 39-22 in the third quarter alone—a dominant 17-point period that effectively put the contest out of reach before the fourth quarter began.
The rebounding battle further illustrated Houston's physical dominance. The Rockets dominated the glass with a 51-37 advantage, limiting Atlanta's second-chance opportunities and controlling the tempo of play.
In a notable individual milestone, Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu recorded three assists, including the 600th of his career. Okongwu is currently averaging 3.2 assists per game this season—a career-high that suggests an expanded role in Atlanta's offense.
The loss represents a significant stumble for the Hawks, who had been riding momentum toward postseason positioning. Atlanta will look to quickly recover when they host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, while Houston stays home to welcome the Miami Heat in another weekend matchup.