By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:57 GMT, 21 March 2026 | Updated: 02:57 GMT, 21 March 2026
HOUSTON (AP) - Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 and the Houston Rockets snapped Atlanta's 11-game winning streak with a 117-95 victory over the Hawks on Friday night.
Alperen Sengun had 15 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for Houston, which was just 4-6 in its previous 10 games and was coming off back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta with 21 points, but the Hawks shot just 42% from the field and 26% (9 for 35) from 3-point range. Houston shot 51% overall and 47% (14 of 30) from deep.
CJ McCollum had 17 points and Zaccharie Risacher had 16 for Atlanta, which was riding its longest winning streak in over a decade that had positioned the team for a play-in berth.
The Rockets outrebounded the Hawks 51-37.
The Rockets ked 62-54 at halftime then pulled away by outscoring the Hawks 39-22 in the third quarter.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant celebrates after making a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Houston, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Onyeka Okongwu had three assists including the 600th of his career. He is averaging 3.2 assists per game this season, the most of his career.
Hawks: Return home to play Golden State on Saturday night.
Rockets: Host Miami on Saturday night.
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Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) shoots against Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) passes against Atlanta Hawks center Jock Landale (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) fouls Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)