The Houston Rockets are 3-0 for the first time since 2017-18, and they got there the hard way. Houston beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 at State Farm Arena on Saturday, October 24, 2026, with Kevin Durant scoring 22 points and Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason each adding 19. It was a back-to-back road game without Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams or Marcus Smart, and the Rockets still held on after a late Atlanta push.
Rockets Improve to 3-0 in Atlanta
Houston led by as many as 20 and watched Atlanta cut it to five late, but Durant made two free throws with 18.9 seconds left to put the game away. Seven Rockets scored in double figures, including Alperen Sengun with 17 points and 10 rebounds and Amen Thompson with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Houston grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and turned them into 22 second-chance points. Ime Udoka’s team held the Hawks, who had averaged about 130 points in winning their first two games, to a season low.
Sheppard’s Five Threes
Sheppard hit five of 11 three-pointers and finished with 19 points and seven assists, a nice rebound from a 1-of-6 start from deep over the first two games. His shooting is the kind of skill that moves player props quickly, so if you’re targeting him, the edge usually disappears once the number moves.
Atlanta Misses From Deep
The Hawks shot about 12-of-45 from three and just 5-of-22 in the first half, which wasted a big night from Jalen Johnson (26 points, nine rebounds and 16 assists). Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 18, and Aaron Wiggins scored 16 off the bench in his first home game with Atlanta after coming over from Oklahoma City in a summer trade. It was the Hawks’ home opener.
The Betting Takeaways
- Margin: Houston won by seven on the road, so small road spreads cashed.
- Total: The teams combined for 235 points.
- Next up: The Rockets host the Hawks again on Monday, October 26. Atlanta’s late rally and poor shooting night could shade the line toward the Hawks in the rematch.
For another look at an early-season Western Conference result, see our recap of the Thunder’s win over the Nuggets.
Question for the comments: Is Houston a real contender in the West, or is 3-0 a soft start?
“WannaBet.com may receive compensation from the sportsbooks mentioned in this post if you sign up using our links. This doesn’t cost you a dime, but it keeps the lights on. Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (USA) or 1-866-531-2600 (Ontario, CA). 21+ only.”
