HOUSTON -- The Rockets opened up a two-game homestand with Monday’s 108-99 victory (box score) over the Grizzlies. Though the hosts trailed by 10 points midway through the third quarter, Houston outscored Memphis by nearly 20 over the game’s duration.
After shooting 49.2% in his first eight games coming off an early January ankle sprain, All-Star center Alperen Sengun broke out with 33 points and 9 rebounds on 15-of-17 shooting (88.2%)..
Sengun also had 6 assists, including two to All-Star teammate Kevin Durant (33 points) for dagger 3-pointers in the closing minutes.
“The swelling's gone almost,” Sengun said of his health, via Michael Shapiro of Chron.com. “I used to not feel that much confidence jumping [off] both feet, but now I start feeling better.”
Alperen Şengün with his most points (33) since mid-December tonight.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 27, 2026
Expect more of this version of Alperen moving forward. Why? @HoustonRockets big man says he's now fully healthy 3 weeks after ankle injury:
“The swelling's gone almost. I used to not feel that much confidence… https://t.co/ymoYbYKwD8pic.twitter.com/GA5RIxzs5w
Amen Thompson added 8 points, 8 rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists, while Tari Eason had 17 points on 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range (50.0%).
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 17 points (47.1% FG) and 7 rebounds.
Memphis (18-26) remains in the No. 11 spot in the Western Conference standings and just outside the play-in tournament field, while Houston (28-16) currently owns the No. 4 seed.
The Rockets have now won five of their last six games, overall.
Next up for the Rockets is Wednesday’s homestand finale versus the San Antonio Spurs, an in-state rival who currently owns the No. 2 spot (31-15) in the West standings. Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network and to a national audience via ESPN.
The Rockets are now 16-3 at Toyota Center this season.
#Rockets beat the Grizzlies 108-99
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 27, 2026
Alperen Sengun #AllFire
🏀33 PTS🏀15-17 FG🏀9 REB🏀6 AST🏀
Alpi talked with @SportsVanessa after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/60EP2IfkjW
Tonight was the best night yet for the KD-Şengün two-man game. Kevin Durant agrees. Here's @KDTrey5 on that development postgame:
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 27, 2026
"He's finding out how I like coming off hand-offs, pick-and-rolls, where I like to Iso. We're learning each other, we'll continue to learn each… pic.twitter.com/N5aVQldaCO
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Alperen Sengun drops 33 on elite efficiency as Rockets beat Grizzlies
