The Houston Rockets extended their strong start to the season with a commanding 130-113 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night
Alperen Sengun led the charge with a season-high 31 points and 12 rebounds, solidifying the team’s sixth win in seven games.
The Rockets (11-5) relied on a dominant third quarter, where they pushed their lead to 21 points, creating a cushion the Pacers (6-9) couldn’t overcome.
Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 23 points, marking his second 20-point performance in four games, while Fred VanVleet added 18 points and six assists.
For Indiana, Quenton Jackson scored a career-high 24 points on an efficient 10-of-12 shooting. Pascal Siakam scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half but struggled to maintain his momentum in the second.
Houston’s balanced scoring proved too much for the Pacers. Five Rockets scored in double figures, with key contributions from Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, who tallied 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
Indiana’s struggles from beyond the arc contributed to their loss. The Pacers made just five of their 22 three-point attempts, while the Rockets converted 12 of 36 from deep.
Tyrese Haliburton’s offensive woes continued as he finished with only four points on 1-of-7 shooting, following a tough outing against the Raptors earlier this week.
Jabari Smith Jr. made an impact early, scoring 11 points in the first quarter and helping Houston establish an early lead. The Rockets also controlled the glass, out-rebounding Indiana 47-36, with Sengun and Eason leading the way.
Houston continues to impress with its depth and team-oriented play. The Rockets’ bench outscored Indiana’s reserves, and Tari Eason’s defensive energy, highlighted by six steals, further disrupted the Pacers’ rhythm.
