Rockets end Hawks' 11-game win streak

Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. lead Houston to victory over Atlanta

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Houston Rockets snapped the Atlanta Hawks' 11-game winning streak with a 117-95 victory on Friday. Kevin Durant scored 25 points and Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 for the Rockets, who had struggled in their previous 10 games. Alperen Sengun contributed 15 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds for Houston.

Why it matters

The win was an important one for the Rockets, who had been in a slump and needed to bounce back against the surging Hawks. Atlanta's 11-game win streak had propelled them up the Eastern Conference standings, so ending that run was a significant accomplishment for Houston.

The details

The Rockets dominated the game from start to finish, leading by as many as 22 points. In addition to Durant and Smith's scoring, Alperen Sengun had a near triple-double with 15 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. The Hawks struggled to find their rhythm and were never able to mount a serious comeback.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Kevin Durant

A star forward for the Houston Rockets who scored 25 points in the win.

Jabari Smith Jr.

A young forward for the Rockets who added 23 points in the victory.

Alperen Sengun

The Rockets' center who contributed 15 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds.

Atlanta Hawks

The Eastern Conference team that had won 11 straight games before losing to the Rockets.

Houston Rockets

The Western Conference team that snapped the Hawks' win streak with a dominant performance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong against a team that's been playing so well. The guys really stepped up and executed our game plan.”

— Stephen Silas, Rockets Head Coach

What’s next

The Rockets will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Hawks will try to rebound from the loss and get back on track in the East.

The takeaway

This was an important bounce-back win for the Rockets, who showed they can compete with one of the top teams in the NBA. The loss snaps the Hawks' impressive 11-game winning streak, but they remain one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference.