Sengun’s Emergence Is Fueling Houston’s Fast Start
Published on November 3, 2026, the Houston Rockets sit atop the Western Conference at 7–1, behind a surging Alperen Şengün and a balanced attack.
Houston entered the 2026–27 season with doubts about whether its offense could keep pace with Western Conference contenders. The Rockets had made few major offseason changes, counting on Fred VanVleet’s return from injury, Marcus Smart’s playmaking and growth from their young players to complement Kevin Durant and a strong defense.
Through eight games, Houston has the NBA’s second-best offensive rating and a top-10 defense. Its 7–1 start includes wins over the Spurs, Mavericks and a short-handed Thunder team. The Rockets beat the Celtics on November 2, with Şengün leading the offense.
The 24-year-old center is averaging 23.3 points and 7.8 assists despite missing two games with a back injury. He scored 26 points and added 10 assists and seven rebounds against Boston, along with four combined steals and blocks. His scoring and playmaking have helped ease the offensive burden on Durant, who is taking fewer shots than at any point in his career.
VanVleet has helped organize the offense, while Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Smart have contributed on defense. Smith is making more than three three-pointers per game, and Houston’s offense has remained productive even as Reed Sheppard has struggled from long range.
The season is still young, but Houston’s defense, multiple shot-makers and Şengün’s passing give it a formula the team hopes can hold up. Injuries to key players on Western Conference rivals could also open a path for the Rockets to contend for a top seed.