Boston Celtics at Houston Rockets
· National Basketball AssociationAlperen Sengun leads Rockets past Celtics 109-93 as Houston moves into first in West
The Rockets improved to 7-1, moving into first place in the Western Conference after the previously undefeated Memphis Grizzlies (6-1) lost to New Orleans in overtime. The Celtics lost for the first time since their season opener at Detroit, ending a five-game streak.
Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson each scored 14 points for Houston. Tari Eason added 13, and Kevin Durant scored 12 on 5-of-6 shooting.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 19 points on 5-of-16 shooting, including 1 of 7 from 3-point range. Neemias Queta had 16 points, and reserve Luka Garza made four 3s and scored 14 points.
Boston was frequently flustered by former Celtic Marcus Smart, who had eight points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Rockets never trailed and outscored the Celtics 18-2 on the fast break and 50-34 in the paint. The game was tied at 29 at the end of the first quarter, and Houston led 57-50 at halftime.
Paul George (rest) was sidelined for Boston after scoring 17 points in 33 minutes of the Celtics’ 108-97 win at Orlando on Sunday. Clint Capela (right ankle sprain) sat for Houston.
The Rockets are off to their best start since the 2014-15 season.
Rockets: Host Minnesota on Wednesday night.
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
Regular Season Series
HOU leads series 1-0
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 93 - 109 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 93 - 109 |
| 4th 7.9 |  |
Chris Cenac Jr. makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Ron Harper Jr. assists) | 93 - 109 |
| 4th 20.5 |  |
Bruce Thornton makes 17-foot pullup jump shot | 91 - 109 |
| 4th 42.2 | |
Jordan Walsh makes 11-foot pullup jump shot | 91 - 107 |
Statistics
 BOS |
 HOU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 32-83 | FG | 43-79 |
| 39 | Field Goal % | 54 |
| 12-42 | 3PT | 14-35 |
| 29 | Three Point % | 40 |
| 17-20 | FT | 9-13 |
| 85 | Free Throw % | 69 |
| 38 | Rebounds | 36 |
| 13 | Offensive Rebounds | 9 |
| 25 | Defensive Rebounds | 27 |
| 20 | Assists | 34 |
| 6 | Steals | 8 |
| 2 | Blocks | 5 |
| 15 | Turnovers | 13 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 16 | Total Turnovers | 14 |
| 1 | Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 1 | Total Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 15 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 15 |
| 2 | Fast Break Points | 18 |
| 34 | Points in Paint | 50 |
| 19 | Fouls | 22 |
| 0 | Largest Lead | 18 |
| 0 | Lead Changes | 0 |
| 0 | Percent Led | 96 |
Houston Rockets Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Oscar Tshiebwe, C | Day-To-Day | Nov 9 |
| Clint Capela, C | Out | Nov 9 |
| Steven Adams, C | Out | Nov 9 |
Boston Celtics Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|
Game Information
Location: Houston, TX
Attendance: 18,055 · Capacity:
2026-27 Atlantic Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Philadelphia |
9 | 2 | .818 | - | W1 |
 Boston |
8 | 2 | .800 | 0.5 | W3 |
 New York |
5 | 4 | .556 | 3 | W3 |
 Toronto |
5 | 5 | .500 | 3.5 | L1 |
 Brooklyn |
2 | 8 | .200 | 6.5 | L2 |
2026-27 Southwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Antonio |
- | 2 | W9 | 0.8181818 | 9 |
 Houston |
1 | 3 | W1 | 0.72727275 | 8 |
 Memphis |
1.5 | 3 | W1 | 0.7 | 7 |
 Dallas |
2 | 4 | W3 | 0.6363636 | 7 |
 New Orleans |
5 | 7 | L3 | 0.36363637 | 4 |
NBA News
As Jaylen Brown faces the Celtics for the first time, familiar questions linger
Jaylen Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers host Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
The historic (and absurd) longevity of Steph Curry and Kevin Durant
More than 10 years after briefly joining forces, Steph and KD remain near the top of their games at 38. How long can each legend keep this up?
Victor Wembanyama scores 40 points in 25 minutes as Spurs win 9th straight
Victor Wembanyama finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in just 25 minutes Monday night to lead the Spurs past the Suns 122-96 for their ninth straight win.
Memphis hosts Denver on home skid
Denver Nuggets (5-4, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (7-3, seventh in the Western Conference)
Warriors take on the Rockets, aim for 9th straight win
Golden State Warriors (8-3, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (8-3, sixth in the Western Conference)