In a New Year’s Day matchup to open 2026, the Rockets extended their winning streak to four games with a dominant 120-96 road victory (box score) over the Brooklyn Nets.

Houston (21-10) continues to hold its position at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, though the Rockets and third-seeded Denver Nuggets (23-10) are tied in the loss column.

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With Thursday’s home loss, Brooklyn fell to 10-21.

After missing two consecutive games with left calf tightness, Rockets center Alperen Sengun returned and was dynamic in his 34 minutes. A 2025 NBA All-Star, Sengun finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals while making 8-of-12 shots (66.7%), and Houston was +30 in his time on the floor.

Other player statistics of note included:

  • Amen Thompson: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; 10-of-12 shooting (83.3%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%)

  • Kevin Durant: 22 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)

  • Tari Eason: 15 points, 9 rebounds; 6-of-7 shooting (85.7%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers

  • Reed Sheppard: 14 points, 3 blocks, 2 rebounds; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 5 rebounds; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

  • Cam Thomas (Nets): 21 points; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%), +2 in 23 minutes

  • Nic Claxton (Nets): 11 points, 8 rebounds; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), -19 in 24 minutes

Both teams were short-handed, with the Rockets missing Steven Adams (ankle sprain) and Clint Capela (illness) from their usual rotation. On the other side, the Nets’ absences included Michael Porter Jr. (illness), Terance Mann (hip contusion), and Egor Demin (back soreness).

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Next up for Houston is the finale of a two-game road trip, which takes place Saturday night in Dallas. Tipoff versus the Mavericks (12-22) is at 7:30 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network (SCHN) and nationally via NBA League Pass.

More: ‘He knows the game’: Reed Sheppard’s sophomore leap boosts Rockets

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets 120, Nets 96: Alperen Sengun (+30) dazzles in healthy return