The Houston Rockets continued their impressive start to the 2026-27 NBA season with a convincing 109-93 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night at the Toyota Center. Alperen Şengün delivered an outstanding performance, recording 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds to lead Houston to its seventh win of the season.
The Celtics vs Rockets matchup saw Houston control much of the game, using its offensive efficiency and physical defense to snap Boston’s five-game winning streak. The Celtics struggled to find consistency from the field and could not generate enough offense to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter.
Boston entered the contest on the second night of a back-to-back schedule and was also without Paul George, who missed the game for rest purposes.
Celtics vs Rockets Final Score
The Rockets defeated the Celtics 109-93 at the Toyota Center in Houston, improving their record to 7-1 and moving into first place in the Western Conference.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 29 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 93 |
| Houston Rockets | 29 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 109 |
Houston and Boston were tied 29-29 after the opening quarter. However, the Rockets gradually established control, outscoring the Celtics in each of the remaining three quarters.
The Rockets eventually built an 18-point lead and maintained their advantage until the final buzzer.
Alperen Şengün Leads Rockets With Outstanding Performance
Alperen Şengün was the biggest difference-maker in the game, showcasing his scoring ability and playmaking skills against Boston’s defense.
The Houston center finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists while shooting an impressive 12-of-15 from the field. His efficient performance helped Houston maintain offensive momentum throughout the contest.
Şengün also limited his mistakes, committing just one turnover in 38 minutes of action.
His ability to score around the basket, create opportunities for teammates and control the offensive flow made him extremely difficult for Boston to contain.
Jabari Smith Jr. also contributed significantly, leading Houston in rebounds with 10. The Rockets received balanced production across the lineup as they improved to 7-1.
Jayson Tatum Leads Celtics in Defeat
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 19 points, six rebounds and nine assists. However, his shooting struggles reflected the Celtics’ offensive problems throughout the evening.
Tatum finished 5-of-16 from the field but converted all eight of his free-throw attempts. He also recorded five turnovers in 32 minutes.
Boston struggled to generate efficient scoring opportunities, particularly from three-point range.
The Celtics shot just 39% overall and 29% from beyond the arc. Their inability to consistently convert shots allowed Houston to maintain control.
The absence of Paul George also affected Boston’s available offensive options, while the demanding back-to-back schedule appeared to take its toll late in the game.
Celtics vs Rockets Match Player Stats
Here are the leading individual performances from the Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics matchup.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alperen Şengün | Rockets | 26 | 7 | 10 |
| Jayson Tatum | Celtics | 19 | 6 | 9 |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | Rockets | — | 10 | — |
Alperen Şengün delivered the standout statistical performance, while Tatum was Boston’s leading scorer and assist provider.
Team Statistics: Houston Controls the Game
The team statistics highlight why Houston secured such a comfortable victory.
| Category | Celtics | Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal Percentage | 39% | 54% |
| Field Goals Made | 32 | 43 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 29% | 40% |
| Three-Pointers Made | 12 | 14 |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 85% | 69% |
| Rebounds | 38 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 14 |
The biggest difference came from shooting efficiency. Houston made 43 of its 79 field-goal attempts, while Boston converted only 32 of 83 attempts.
Although the Celtics shot better from the free-throw line, their poor shooting from the field and beyond the arc proved costly.
Houston also committed fewer turnovers, helping the team maintain its offensive rhythm.
Marcus Smart Continues to Challenge the Celtics
Another interesting storyline from the matchup involved Marcus Smart, whose defensive intensity and ability to disrupt opponents remained a talking point.
Smart’s reputation as an aggressive defender and persistent competitor made his presence particularly notable against his former team.
The Celtics have traditionally relied on physical defense and strong perimeter pressure, making this matchup an interesting test against Houston’s athletic and physical roster.
Houston’s ability to handle Boston’s defensive pressure while maintaining offensive efficiency was an important factor in the victory.
What the Celtics’ Loss Means for Boston
The defeat ended Boston’s five-game winning streak and dropped the Celtics to 5-2 on the season.
Despite the loss, Boston remains one of the competitive teams in the Eastern Conference. However, the performance highlighted some areas that need improvement.
Shooting efficiency will be a major concern after the Celtics converted only 39% of their attempts. Their three-point shooting was particularly disappointing, with just 12 successful shots on 42 attempts.
The absence of Paul George and the demanding schedule also provide context for the performance.
Boston will look to respond in its upcoming games and regain the momentum it built during its winning streak.
Rockets Move Into First Place in Western Conference
The victory improved Houston’s record to 7-1, placing the Rockets at the top of the Western Conference standings.
Houston has started the season with impressive consistency, and the win against Boston demonstrated its ability to compete against established contenders.
Alperen Şengün’s continued development as a scorer and playmaker gives the Rockets another major offensive advantage.
With Jabari Smith Jr. providing rebounding support and the team shooting efficiently, Houston looks increasingly dangerous early in the season.
When Is the Next Celtics vs Rockets Game?
Boston and Houston are scheduled to meet again on January 12, 2027, in Boston, according to the supplied NBA schedule.
The first meeting went Houston’s way, with the Rockets taking a 1-0 lead in the season series after their 109-93 victory.
The Celtics will have an opportunity to respond when the teams meet again on Boston’s home floor.
Final Thoughts
The Celtics vs Rockets matchup delivered an important early-season result for both teams. Houston demonstrated its offensive efficiency and defensive strength, while Alperen Şengün produced one of his best performances of the season with 26 points and 10 assists.
For Boston, the loss ended a five-game winning streak and exposed shooting problems that need to be addressed.
With Houston now sitting at 7-1 and leading the Western Conference, the Rockets have made a strong statement against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
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