Celtics Suffer Heavy Defeat at Home to Rockets Led by Kevin Durant
BOSTON (AP) — Kevin Durant delivered 26 points in just three quarters before resting in the fourth, while Amen Thompson contributed 17 points and nine rebounds as the Houston Rockets dominated the Boston Celtics 128-101 on Saturday night.
Alperen Sengun nearly posted a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Josh Okogie added 12 points, helping Houston secure their third consecutive win after starting the season 0-2, snapping Boston’s three-game winning streak.
Key Performances
- Baylor Scheierman led Boston, scoring 17 points.
- Payton Pritchard contributed 14 points.
- Josh Minott finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
- Jaylen Brown scored 12 points but sat out the fourth quarter after posting 32 points in the previous game against Philadelphia.
Game Summary
The Celtics struggled to find rhythm, unable to match Durant and the Rockets, who shot an impressive 57% in the first half, leading 66-48 at halftime. Houston also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Boston 53-36.
Durant was “8 for 11 from the floor” and “8 for 9 from the foul line,” sinking three consecutive free throws amid a sequence of technical fouls in the third quarter, which reflected Boston’s growing frustration.
Impact on Teams
The Rockets’ strong performance has energized their start, moving to 3-2 on the season, while Boston’s home struggles continue, raising concerns about maintaining their early success.
Summary: The Houston Rockets dismantled the Celtics at home thanks to Kevin Durant's efficient scoring and dominant rebounding, exposing Boston's lack of coordination and energy throughout the game.