The Houston Rockets delivered a dominant second-half performance to crush the Atlanta Hawks 104-86, snapping Atlanta's impressive four-game winning streak!
It was a tale of two halves on Thursday night in Atlanta, as the Houston Rockets, led by a stellar 31-point outing from Kevin Durant, completely outplayed the Hawks after halftime. While the first half was a nail-biter, with the Rockets holding a slim 43-42 lead, Houston exploded in the second, leaving the short-handed Atlanta squad in their wake.
But here's where it gets tough for the Hawks... They were already battling a significant injury bug. Key players like center Onyeka Okongwu (who suffered a dental fracture after an elbow to the mouth) and forward Jalen Johnson (dealing with left calf tightness) were sidelined. This meant they were already missing Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles tendinitis) and Zaccharie Risacher (knee issue). To make matters even more interesting, Christian Koloko made his first start for the Hawks in just his fifth game with the team, highlighting the depth challenges they faced.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite the adversity, the Hawks did have some bright spots offensively. CJ McCollum put up a strong 23 points, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker adding 20 and Corey Kispert contributing 17. However, it wasn't enough to match Houston's offensive firepower.
For the Rockets, it wasn't just Durant shining. Jabari Smith chipped in 14 points, and Reed Sheppard added 13, including a crucial three-pointer that gave Houston their first 20-point lead, making the score 90-70. Even Alperen Sengun, who was listed as questionable with an ankle sprain, managed 9 points and a significant 13 rebounds.
A particularly emotional moment for the Rockets was Clint Capela's return to Atlanta. The center, traded to Houston on July 6, 2025, scored 10 points and was warmly welcomed back by the fans with a video tribute.
Looking ahead, the Rockets will host Dallas on Saturday night, while the Hawks will travel to Indiana for their next game.
What do you think? With so many key players out for the Hawks, was this loss inevitable, or could they have found a way to keep their winning streak alive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
