Alperen Sengun's 36-point triple-double powers Rockets past Pelicans

Houston's young star leads the way in dominant win over struggling New Orleans

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:51am

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes that capture the dynamic movement and intensity of a basketball player's performance, with their features obscured in the vibrant expressionist style.Alperen Sengun's career night powers the Rockets to a crucial win over the struggling Pelicans.Houston Today

Alperen Sengun recorded a dominant 36-point, 13-rebound, 7-assist triple-double to lead the Houston Rockets to a 134-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Rockets used a big second quarter run to pull away and cruise to the win, outrebounding the Pelicans 59-36 and committing just 6 turnovers on the night.

Why it matters

The win moves the Rockets into a tie for 5th place in the Western Conference playoff race, just 1.5 games behind the 4th-place Denver Nuggets. Sengun's continued emergence as an All-Star caliber player is a promising sign for Houston's future. Meanwhile, the struggling Pelicans have now lost 3 straight and 11 of their last 12 games, falling further out of playoff position.

The details

Sengun was unstoppable, making 5-of-7 from 3-point range and adding 3 steals and 3 blocks to his impressive stat line. The Rockets blew the game open with a 23-3 run to start the second quarter, taking a 68-47 lead into halftime. Houston dominated the glass and protected the ball, outrebounding New Orleans 59-36 and committing just 6 turnovers on the night.

  • The Rockets (45-29) moved into a tie for 5th place in the Western Conference, 1.5 games behind the 4th-place Denver Nuggets.
  • The Pelicans (25-51) have now lost 3 straight games and 11 of their last 12.

The players

Alperen Sengun

The 4th-year center for the Houston Rockets, who recorded a dominant 36-point, 13-rebound, 7-assist triple-double in the win.

Dejounte Murray

The leading scorer for the New Orleans Pelicans with 19 points in the loss.

Kevin Durant

The veteran forward for the Houston Rockets, who scored 20 points in the win.

Jabari Smith Jr.

The young forward for the Houston Rockets, who also scored 20 points in the victory.

Tari Eason

The Rockets' reserve forward who contributed 15 points off the bench.

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What they’re saying

“Alperen Sengun is really starting to come into his own as one of the league's most dominant young big men.”

— Charles Barkley, NBA Analyst

What’s next

The Rockets will look to continue their push for a top-4 seed in the West when they host the New York Knicks on Tuesday. The struggling Pelicans will try to get back on track when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

The takeaway

Sengun's breakout performance highlights the Rockets' bright future, while the Pelicans' continued struggles underscore the challenges they face in trying to return to the playoffs this season.