Rockets Stay Perfect, Top Hawks
Amen Thompson steered the Houston Rockets to a hard-fought 121-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, preserving their unblemished 4-0 start to the regular season. Despite a stellar 26-point, 9-rebound, 16-assist double-double from Jalen Johnson, Atlanta couldn't overcome Houston's balanced attack. The Rockets held an 11-point lead at halftime (48-59) and entered the final period with the same advantage (81-92). Houston's 48% field goal shooting and 40% three-point accuracy proved decisive, complemented by 32 points from their bench. While the Hawks shot 45% from the field, 13 turnovers hampered their efforts. Johnson's playmaking, alongside 18 points from Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, wasn't enough to swing the result. The Rockets' victory solidifies their second-place standing in the Western Conference at 4-0, while the Hawks slip to 2-2 in the East.