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Alperen Sengun, Türkiye’s national team center, led the Houston Rockets to a 109-93 win over the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Monday night, finishing with 26 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds at Toyota Center to be the game’s top scorer.
The result lifted Houston to a 7-1 record and into first place in the Western Conference, one of the NBA’s two regional divisions, after the previously unbeaten Memphis Grizzlies lost to New Orleans in overtime.
Houston is now off to its best start since the 2014-15 season, while Boston dropped its first game since its season opener at Detroit, which ended a five-game winning streak.
Houston never trailed in the game, even though the first quarter ended tied at 29 and the Rockets held only a 57-50 lead at halftime. The home side pulled away by outscoring Boston 18-2 on the fast break, a quick offensive push before the defense can set up, and 50-34 in the paint, the area close to the basket.
Sengun’s performance counted as a “double-double,” a term for reaching 10 or more in two statistical categories in one game, and he was not the only Houston player to manage it.
Jabari Smith Jr. posted 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Amen Thompson also scored 14 points, Tari Eason added 13, and Kevin Durant chipped in 12 on 5-of-6 shooting. Houston played without center Clint Capela, who sat out with a right ankle sprain.
Boston, which was missing Paul George for rest after he scored 17 points in a 108-97 win at Orlando on Sunday, was led by Jayson Tatum with 19 points on 5-of-16 shooting, including 1 of 7 from 3-point range.
Neemias Queta added 16 points, and reserve Luka Garza made four 3-pointers on his way to 14 points. The Celtics were also frequently flustered by former Celtic Marcus Smart, who finished with eight points, four rebounds and four assists for Houston.
Both teams are back in action Wednesday night, with Boston hosting Milwaukee and Houston hosting Minnesota.
Elsewhere on the NBA schedule, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 126-107 at home at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with another Türkiye international, Adem Bona, contributing three points and six rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey led the way with 26 points and 11 assists, and Jaylen Brown recorded a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds, while VJ Edgecombe scored 21 points.
For Chicago, Caleb Wilson scored 24 points, and Norman Powell added 18, while Josh Giddey had a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists.
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