Watch: Kevin Durant's poster, Reed Sheppard's five threes and Jalen Johnson's 16 assists as the Rockets beat the Hawks 121-114
WhyNBA Sports Desk · Oct 25, 2026
The story
The Houston Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 at State Farm Arena on Saturday, October 24, leading for more than 42 of the 48 minutes and by as many as 20.
The story
Kevin Durant scored 22 on 8-of-15 shooting, Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason added 19 each, and Houston made 14 threes while Atlanta went 13 of 48 from deep. Jalen Johnson carried the Hawks with 26 points, nine rebounds and 16 assists.
The story
Here are the moments both teams posted from the night.
The story
Game Center: Rockets at Hawks, box score and play-by-play
Bogdan Bogdanović hits another one
Bogdanović gave Houston a lift off the bench with three threes in just over 20 minutes. His shooting helped the Rockets build a 59-48 halftime lead, after Atlanta managed only 22 points in the second quarter.
Kevin Durant goes up and over
Durant's dunk came early in the fourth quarter with Houston up 98-86, and the Rockets' account called it a poster. It was the loudest moment of a steady night for the 38-year-old: 22 points, three made threes, a perfect 3-of-3 at the line and a plus-19.
Reed Sheppard from deep
Sheppard made five of his 11 three-point attempts and handed out seven assists. This one stretched the margin to 14 with under 11 minutes left, and he finished tied with Durant for the best plus-minus on the floor.
Tari Eason's step-back
Eason scored all 19 of his points without a made three, working inside the arc on 8-of-15 shooting. His step-back jumper made it 103-86 midway through the fourth quarter and kept Atlanta at a distance.
Dyson Daniels keeps Atlanta alive
The Hawks won the fourth quarter 33-29 but never got closer than the final margin. Daniels was their most efficient scorer, with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, and this three from the wing came with Houston still up 16.
Jalen Johnson's near triple-double
Johnson finished a single rebound away from a triple-double, and his 16 assists were the story of Atlanta's offense, which assisted on 34 of its 43 baskets. He also went 8 of 10 from the free-throw line.
What comes next
The two teams meet again right away. The Hawks visit the Rockets on Monday, October 26 at 8:30 pm ET, a quick chance for Atlanta to answer at Toyota Center. Game Center: Hawks at Rockets.
Photo credit
Kevin Durant, then a SuperSonics rookie, signs a basketball for an Airman at the team's practice facility in Seattle on January 3, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Tyler Hemstreet, resized.
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