The Houston Rockets defeated the Boston Celtics 109-93 on Monday, November 2, 2026, handing the visitors a reality check after a five-game winning streak. Entering the matchup at Houston, the Rockets capitalized on Boston’s absence of Paul George and shooting struggles to claim the top spot in the West.

How the Rockets Handed Boston a Defeat in Houston

Boston arrived in Texas playing without Paul George, who sat out to rest. Joe Mazzulla inserted Hugo González into the starting lineup for just the second time this season. González logged 16 minutes, contributing six points on 3-of-6 shooting, three rebounds, and one steal, though he finished with a -16 plus-minus rating.

Jayson Tatum also struggled to find his rhythm for the Celtics. The forward finished with 19 points on a difficult 5-of-16 shooting night, including 1-of-7 from three-point range. Neemias Queta added 16 points for Boston, while reserve Garza chipped in 14 points off the bench, hitting four triples. The Celtics kept pace through a 29-29 opening quarter, but dropped each of the final three periods.

Alperen Sengun and Houston’s Roster Depth Lead the Way

Alperen Sengun anchored the Houston victory with 26 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. Jabari Smith and Amen Thompson each scored 14 points, while Kevin Durant added 12 points. Marcus Smart contributed eight points, four rebounds, and four assists against his old team.

The victory propelled the Rockets to the top of the Western Conference standings, aided by a loss from the Memphis Grizzlies. Houston entered the game with a 5-1 record.

Injury Context and Roster Management

Both teams managed significant rotation questions leading into the opening tip. The Rockets listed five players on their injury report, with Steven Adams sidelined due to a right soleus strain after appearing in only one game earlier in the campaign. Reed Sheppard missed previous outings with a lower back strain, while Clint Capela worked through a right ankle sprain sustained against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both Sheppard and Capela were evaluated on a day-to-day basis by the medical staff.

Standings Implications and Upcoming Schedule

With the win, Houston assumes command of the Western Conference in the early weeks of the regular season. The Celtics halt their momentum after a strong start that featured a 30-point performance from Payton Pritchard in their previous victory. Both franchises return to action later in the week as the NBA schedule deepens.