Thompson's Season-High 27 Points Lead Rockets to Fourth Straight Win
HOUSTON (AP) — Amen Thompson scored a season-high 27 points, while Alperen Sengun contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds to help the Houston Rockets narrowly defeat the Dallas Mavericks 110-102 on Monday night. With this win, Houston has now won four games in a row after starting the season 0-2.
Key Moments in the Final Minutes
The Rockets held a one-point lead when Sengun drove to the basket, spun past a defender, and made a crucial shot to bring the score to 105-102 with about 90 seconds remaining. After Washington missed a three-pointer, Josh Okogie extended Houston's lead to 107-102 with two free throws.
D’Angelo Russell missed a three-point attempt, and Thompson’s free throw made the score 108-102 with 27 seconds left. Thompson also blocked a three-point shot by No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, and Tari Eason sealed the win with a dunk.
Mavericks’ Performance Without Anthony Davis
Washington led the Mavericks with season highs of 29 points and 12 rebounds. The Mavericks played their second consecutive game without Anthony Davis, sidelined by a strained calf. Max Christie added 17 points, and Cooper Flagg scored 12 points with five rebounds as Dallas dropped to 2-5 this season.
Kevin Durant's Struggles and Contributions
Kevin Durant scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished five assists despite shooting 6 of 18 from the field. Clinging to a one-point lead, Durant made his first three-pointer after missing his first six attempts and later added another three-pointer to extend the lead to 99-94 with five minutes remaining.
"We managed to pull through with crucial plays down the stretch," Thompson said after the game.
Summary: Amen Thompson’s standout performance, combined with clutch plays from the Rockets’ roster, secured their fourth consecutive victory over the Mavericks, showing resilience despite early-season struggles.