HOUSTON – – Alperen Sengun scored 27 points for a second straight game and added 17 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 107-92 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.

Sengun hit 12 of 19 shots and added three blocks. Jalen Green scored 18 points, Amen Thompson had 13 and Jabari Smith Jr. and Aaron Holiday added 11 each.

With Fred VanVleet out due to a hamstring injury that coach Ime Udoka said was an everyday issue, rookie Reed Sheppard and Holiday saw more minutes. Sheppard matched his early career high with seven points.

Washington forward Kyle Kuzma returned from a five-game absence due to a right groin strain and led Washington with 18 points on 7-for-18 shooting in 24 minutes. Jordan Poole had 11 points and eight turnovers.

Houston led 55-40 at halftime and never trailed.

The Rockets won four of five to improve to 7-4, their best 11-game start since the 2019-20 season. Washington has lost five in a row.

Takeaways

Wizards: Washington was defeated 58-34. The Wizards have failed to beat their opponent in all nine games this season. Jonas Valanciunas led Washington with eight rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. Rookie second overall pick Alexandre Sarr had six.

Rockets: Sengun has back-to-back 20-point games for the first time this season, a feat he achieved regularly during last year’s breakout campaign when he averaged 21.1 points. Getting Sengun involved early and often is the key to Houston’s success.

Key moment

The Rockets went on a 10-0 run late in the second quarter, expanding a five-point lead into a 15-point lead that they never relinquished.

Key stat

The Wizards made just one free throw on four attempts in the first half and finished 9 of 13, both season lows. Houston went 22 for 25.

Next

The Wizards visit San Antonio on Wednesday night, while the Rockets host the Clippers.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba