Key Takeaways:
- Alperen Sengun recorded 36 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists as Houston triumphed over New Orleans 134-102
- The Rockets matched Minnesota for fifth place in the Western Conference, just 1.5 games behind Denver
- New Orleans have now suffered back-to-back defeats and 11 losses in their last 12 games
Rockets Seize Momentum with Dominant Second Quarter
Houston overpowered New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday evening, clinching a 134-102 victory after taking control with a huge 23-3 surge at the outset of the second quarter. Alperen Sengun was exceptional throughout, racking up 36 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists, as well as contributing three steals and three blocks. Sengun was particularly accurate from beyond the arc, converting 5 of 7 three-point attempts.
The Turkish frontman tallied 14 points in the pivotal second quarter, drilling three triples as the Rockets surged to a 68-47 lead by the interval. Houston never looked back, maintaining a double-digit advantage throughout the second half.
coming home with a W 🤘#AllFire pic.twitter.com/S0cY2jW0OO
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 30, 2026
Supporting Cast Rises for Houston
Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. each chipped in with 20 points, while Tari Eason provided 15 off the bench. The Rockets dominated the glass, outrebounding the Pelicans 59-36 and limiting themselves to just six turnovers during the encounter.
Sengun continued his high-scoring stretch, notching at least 30 points for the third time in his last four games. His recent exploits include a 33-point effort in a 132-124 defeat at Chicago on Monday and a 30-point showing in an overtime loss to Minnesota on Wednesday.
Struggles Persist for Pelicans
New Orleans endured further woes, with a third consecutive loss against Houston and a poor run of form yielding 11 defeats in their last 12 outings. Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans with 19 points, while Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey each added 18. Derik Queen finished with 13 points. Rookie Jeremiah Fears recorded 12 points and five assists for the home side.
The Pelicans delivered a promising start, shooting 52% from the field in the opening period and hitting five three-pointers, but were ultimately overwhelmed by Houston’s relentless offence and rebounding supremacy.
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 134 | Alperen Sengun – 36 | Clint Capela – 14 | Alperen Sengun – 7 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 102 | Dejounte Murray – 19 | Saddiq Bey – 7 | Dejounte Murray – 6 |
Looking Ahead
The Pelicans, now standing at 25-51, will travel to face Portland on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Rockets (45-29) look to continue their momentum as they welcome New York on Tuesday.
