Alperen Sengun’s Masterpiece Powers the Rockets Past the Sinking Pelicans 134-102

But then, the Rockets decided they had seen enough.

Houston opened the second quarter with a devastating, soul-crushing 23-3 run that effectively ended the contest before the halftime buzzer even sounded. The defensive intensity skyrocketed. Rotations were crisp, passing lanes were suddenly closed off, and every long rebound seemed to end up in the hands of a Houston player pushing the pace. By the time the dust settled at the half, the Rockets had built a commanding 68-47 lead, leaving the Pelicans staring blankly at the scoreboard.

Alperen Sengun is Becoming an Unstoppable Force for the Rockets

If we need to have a serious conversation about the most dynamic big men in the league, Alperen Sengun’s name belongs near the top of the list. The fourth-year center put on an absolute clinic in New Orleans, logging 36 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.

But it wasn’t just the sheer volume of his production; it was how he did it. Sengun showcased a deeply expanded bag, stepping out beyond the arc to bury 5 of his 7 three-point attempts. When he wasn’t stretching the floor, he was a menace inside, bullying defenders in the paint and creating open looks for his teammates. Add in three steals and three blocks, and you have a complete, two-way masterpiece.

This marked Sengun’s third 30-point performance in just four games this week. He is carrying the offensive load with the swagger of a franchise cornerstone who knows exactly how dangerous he can be.

The Supporting Cast: Durant and Smith Jr. Shine

While Sengun was the clear headliner, the sheer depth of the Rockets was too much for New Orleans to handle. Kevin Durant did exactly what you expect one of the greatest scorers of all time to do—he played an incredibly efficient, unselfish brand of basketball. Durant finished with 20 points and six assists, effortlessly picking his spots and elevating the guys around him. The blowout was so severe that Durant didn’t even need to take off his warmups in the fourth quarter.

Jabari Smith Jr. matched Durant with 20 points of his own, providing a crucial spark from the perimeter, while Tari Eason was an absolute wrecking ball off the bench. Eason poured in 15 points and grabbed 8 boards, bringing a level of physicality that the Pelicans simply couldn’t match.

And if you want a statistic that truly captures the absurdity of this blowout: backup guard Aaron Holiday finished the night with a +41 plus-minus rating in just 25 minutes of action.

Where Do the Rockets and Pelicans Go From Here?

The rebounding battle told the entire story of the night. The Rockets swallowed up 59 boards compared to the Pelicans’ measly 36, asserting their dominance on the glass and refusing to give New Orleans any second-chance life.

With this win, Houston improves to 45-29, vaulting into a tie for fifth place in the Western Conference. They are playing connected, dangerous basketball at the exact right time of the year.

As for the Pelicans, the nightmare continues. Now sitting at 25-51 after losing 11 of their last 12 games, the energy has simply vanished. Zion Williamson (18 points) and Dejounte Murray (19 points) had their moments, but a team missing key pieces like Trey Murphy III desperately needed someone to ignite a spark. Instead, they got blown off their own home floor. If New Orleans wants to salvage any pride before the season wraps up, they need to find their competitive pulse—and fast.