Alperen Sengun put on a dominant display on Wednesday night, scoring a season-high 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 130-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Sengun’s all-around performance powered the Rockets to their sixth win in their last seven games, as they continue to show promise early in the season. Houston used a decisive third-quarter run to pull away, ultimately extending their lead to 21 points heading into the final frame.
The Rockets’ offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Jabari Smith Jr. contributing 23 points for his second 20-point game in the last four outings. Fred VanVleet also played a key role, adding 18 points and six assists, helping orchestrate the offense and keep the Pacers at bay. Houston’s offensive balance was evident, as they had five players score in double figures, demonstrating their depth and versatility on the court.
For Indiana, the night belonged to Quenton Jackson, who scored a career-high 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Jackson’s scoring surge was one of the few bright spots for the Pacers, who have now dropped four of their last five games. Pascal Siakam also made an impact early, scoring 19 points in the first half, but he struggled after the break, managing only two more points in the second half. The Pacers were unable to find enough consistency from their key players to keep up with Houston’s explosive offense.
The game was close early on, with Indiana staying within striking distance through the first half. However, Houston began to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring the Pacers 39-25 to take full control. A dunk by Myles Turner had the Pacers within three points with just over eight minutes left in the third, but the Rockets responded with a 12-3 run, fueled by three-pointers from VanVleet and Sengun. That run pushed the lead to 82-70, and Indiana would never get closer than that for the rest of the game.
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The Rockets’ three-point shooting was another key factor in their win. Houston knocked down 12 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc, while the Pacers struggled with their long-range shooting, converting just 5 of 22 attempts. Houston’s ability to stretch the floor and convert from deep was a significant difference-maker, as they were able to open up driving lanes for Sengun and others.
Sengun’s impact on both ends of the floor was evident throughout the game. Not only did he score efficiently, but his presence in the paint was a constant threat. He was especially effective in the second half, where he added 20 of his 31 points. Sengun’s improved scoring and rebounding have been a major storyline for Houston this season, and he continues to develop into one of the team’s cornerstone players.
For Indiana, the loss highlighted some of the ongoing struggles that have plagued them this season. Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ star point guard, has had a tough stretch, and Wednesday was no exception. Haliburton finished with just four points on 1-of-7 shooting, a continuation of his struggles after shooting 5-of-18 in a recent loss to the Toronto Raptors. For Indiana to turn things around, they will need Haliburton to find his rhythm and lead the offense more effectively.
The Pacers also faced issues on the defensive end, as they were unable to contain Houston’s offensive balance. The Rockets’ ability to score from multiple positions and stretch the floor with consistent three-point shooting put a lot of pressure on Indiana’s defense. The Pacers’ inability to slow down the Rockets, combined with their own shooting woes, led to another disappointing loss.
Looking ahead, the Rockets continue to build momentum with their strong start to the season, improving to 11-5 after Wednesday’s victory. Houston has shown a more balanced approach to scoring this year, with contributions coming from all over the floor. This win was another example of their team-first mentality, and they will look to keep that going when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night for the first of consecutive games against them.
Meanwhile, the Pacers face a quick turnaround as they head to Milwaukee on Friday. Indiana will need to regroup and address their recent struggles if they hope to get back on track and keep their playoff hopes alive. With a team that features some explosive individual talent, the Pacers will need to find more consistency on both ends of the court.
Key Stats and Takeaways:
- Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 31 points and 12 rebounds, with 20 of those points coming in the second half.
- Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 points, and Fred VanVleet contributed 18 points and six assists.
- Quenton Jackson led the Pacers with a career-high 24 points, while Pascal Siakam had 19 points in the first half but only 2 after halftime.
- The Rockets outshot the Pacers from three, making 12 of 36 attempts compared to 5 of 22 for Indiana.
- The Rockets used a 12-3 run in the third quarter to extend their lead to 82-70, and never looked back.
- Tyrese Haliburton struggled for the Pacers, scoring just 4 points on 1-of-7 shooting.
- The Rockets improve to 11-5 on the season, while the Pacers fall to 5-11.
- Up next: The Rockets host Portland on Friday night, and the Pacers visit Milwaukee.