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Sheppard makes 7 3s, Sengun has a triple-double as Rockets rout Kings 128-97

Sheppard makes 7 3s, Sengun has a triple-double as Rockets rout Kings 128-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

HOUSTON (AP) — Reed Sheppard made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 28 points, Alperen Sengun had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Houston Rockets beat the Sacramento Kings 128-97 on Wednesday night.

Kevin Durant added 21 points for the Rockets in their most-lopsided victory of the season. Houston has won two in row since blowing an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter at New York on Saturday.

Russell Westbrook scored 22 points for Sacramento, but 17 came in the first quarter. DeMar DeRozan added 15 on a night he moved ahead of Paul Pierce into 20th place on the NBA’s career scoring list.

The Kings were coming off a victory over Memphis that snapped their franchise-record 16-game losing streak.

Westbrook was 8 for 14 in the first quarter, with his 17 points his most in a first quarter since getting that many against Utah on Feb. 9, 2020. But the rest of the Kings were 1 for 10 and Houston led 33-22. The Rockets then outscored the Kings 44-28 in the second, going 8 for 12 from 3-point range, to lead 77-50 at the break.

Sengun had his third triple-double of the season and 11th of his career. Houston shot 54.7% from the field and hit 17 of its first 30 shots.

The Rockets led by 36 points in the fourth quarter.

The Kings lost starting forward Keegan Murray to a left ankle injury in the first quarter.

Up next

Kings: At Dallas on Thursday night.

Rockets: At Orlando on Thursday night.

___

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

Sheppard makes 7 3s, Sengun has a triple-double as Rockets rout Kings 128-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun sucks against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Sheppard makes 7 3s, Sengun has a triple-double as Rockets rout Kings 128-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) dribbles against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Sheppard makes 7 3s, Sengun has a triple-double as Rockets rout Kings 128-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook, right, drives to the basket as Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Sheppard makes 7 3s, Sengun has a triple-double as Rockets rout Kings 128-97 | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) falls over while trunk to pass as Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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