WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Alperen Sengun scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 123-118 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night at Capital One Arena. Kevin Durant added 30 points for the Rockets, who led by as many as 22 points but withstood a late Washington rally. The Wizards, led by Sharife Cooper’s 21 points off the bench, outscored Houston 38-29 in the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback. Amen Thompson contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds for Houston, which improved to 38-22. Washington fell to 16-44 despite 23 points from Bilal Coulibaly. A crowd of 17,352 attended the game.

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant first-half performance and a frantic, record-chasing fourth-quarter rally, the Houston Rockets held off the Washington Wizards 123-118 on Monday night at Capital One Arena. The Rockets, bolstered by a 60-point first half, built a commanding 29-point lead in the third quarter only to see the Wizards storm back with a 38-point final period, closing the gap to a single possession in the final minute before Houston secured the victory. Houston center Alperen Sengun was the driving force, scoring 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His interior scoring was crucial as the Rockets improved to 38-22. Kevin Durant, returning to his hometown, added 30 points and seven rebounds. Guard Reed Sheppard orchestrated the offense with a 19-point, 10-assist double-double, and Amen Thompson contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Wizards, who fell to 16-44, were led by a backcourt explosion off the bench. Sharife Cooper scored 21 points in just 17 minutes, including a flurry of three-pointers. Bilal Coulibaly added 23 points, and Jaden Hardy scored 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter during the comeback attempt. The most important sequence of the game came in the final 30 seconds, with Houston clinging to a 110-108 lead. After Durant committed a turnover, Justin Champagnie’s steal and dunk pulled Washington within two with 45.8 seconds left. Durant then committed another turnover, which Champagnie again stole, leading to a Cooper layup that tied the game at 110 with 29.2 seconds remaining. Durant was assessed a technical foul on the ensuing possession, and Bub Carrington’s free throw gave Washington its first lead since the first quarter at 111-110. The Rockets, however, responded immediately. Out of a timeout, Sengun found Sheppard for a clutch 26-foot three-pointer, putting Houston back ahead 113-111 with 10 seconds left. After a Washington miss, Durant secured the defensive rebound but immediately turned the ball over for the fourth time in the final minute, giving the Wizards a final chance. Cooper’s deep three-pointer at the buzzer accounted for the final margin, but the outcome was already decided. The game’s frantic finish contrasted sharply with its beginning. Houston established control early, using a 15-2 run in the second quarter to extend a narrow lead to 60-51 at halftime. They continued the onslaught after the break, opening the third quarter with a 14-2 burst to push the advantage to 74-53. The lead ballooned to 94-65 after a Durant three-pointer with 5:26 left in the third. Washington’s comeback was fueled by defensive pressure and hot shooting. The Wizards forced eight Houston turnovers in the fourth quarter and shot 61% from the field in the period. Cooper’s scoring burst and Hardy’s aggressive drives keyed a 24-9 run that made it 108-104 with just over two minutes to play, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion. The game was not without controversy and physicality. Houston forward Tari Eason was ejected in the third quarter after a sequence involving double technical fouls, and a Wizards staff member was also ejected following the altercation. Houston’s offense was efficient throughout, shooting over 50% from the field for much of the night before cooling in the fourth quarter. The Rockets also dominated the glass, outrebounding Washington 58-42. The victory extends Houston’s strong recent form, having won four of their last five games. The Wizards, despite the loss, showed resilience in erasing a large deficit against one of the Western Conference’s top teams. Houston next hosts the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. Washington travels to face the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

Preview: Rockets Look to Rebound Against Struggling Wizards WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Houston Rockets, seeking to regain momentum after a weekend loss, visit the lottery-bound Washington Wizards on Monday night at Capital One Arena. The Rockets (37-22) arrive following a 105-115 road defeat to the Miami Heat on Saturday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. Houston remains firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture but has alternated wins and losses over its last five contests. All-Star forward Kevin Durant continues to be the engine for Houston. Over his last 10 games, Durant is averaging 26.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists, including a 40-point, 8-rebound performance in a win over Orlando on Feb. 26 and a 32-point, 8-assist effort in the loss to Miami. His versatility will be a primary focus for a Washington defense that has consistently struggled. The Wizards (16-43) own the NBA’s second-worst record and have lost four of their last five, including a 125-134 home loss to Toronto on Saturday. Their defense ranks last in the league, allowing 124.3 points per game. Rookie guard Will Riley, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft, shows flashes for Washington. He scored 19 points against Toronto and posted a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) against Atlanta on Feb. 26. However, his production has been inconsistent, mirroring his team’s season. This is the second meeting between the teams this season. Houston dominated the first, a 135-112 home victory on Nov. 12, 2025. The Rockets have won seven of the last 10 matchups overall. For Houston, Amen Thompson (20 points, 11 rebounds vs. Miami) and Tari Eason (10 points, 11 rebounds) provide critical support. Washington will look for contributions from Bilal Coulibaly and rookie Clayton Carrington, who combined for 26 points and 8 assists against Toronto. The schedule intensifies for both sides after this contest. Houston begins a key five-game homestand on Thursday against Golden State. Washington embarks on a challenging five-game road trip starting Tuesday in Orlando. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.