Sengun has 25 points and 14 rebounds as Houston Rockets hold on for 109-97 win over Knicks

HOUSTON (AP) — Alperen Sengun had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets held on for a 109-97 win over the New York Knicks on Monday night.

Houston led by 15 points early before the Knicks got within one late in the fourth quarter. But Sengun, who was guarded by Karl-Anthony Towns, scored 10 points in the final period to help the Rockets put it away.

Fred VanVleet added 19 points for Houston and Jalen Green had 15.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 29 points and OG Anunoby added 21. Towns had 17 points and a season-high 19 rebounds.

Knicks: New York needs to do a better job of scoring inside with Towns. The Knicks were outscored 62-38 in the paint as their two-game winning streak was snapped.

Rockets: Houston did a good job of getting several players involved offensively. Four starters finished in double figures and Amen Thompson added 12 points off the bench. But they need to find a way to be more consistent throughout games. They squandered a double-digit lead Monday before pulling away late, a game after falling behind by 31 points early before losing to the Warriors in OT Saturday night.

The Rockets led by three before a soaring, two-handed dunk by Thompson followed by a 3 from Green made it 105-97 with less than a minute to go.

The Rockets won despite making just 8 of 33 3-pointers. Green started out 0 for 6 and was 2 of 8 and VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. each made just 1 of 5 attempts.

The Knicks visit the Hawks on Wednesday night and the Rockets host the Spurs that night.

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

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) loses the ball as he tries to push a shot up between Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5), center Alperen Sengun, center back, and guard Jalen Green (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) attempts to drive around New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, left, tries to pass the ball as Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson, right, reaches in during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, left, knocks away the rebound from New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) puts up a shot as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket around Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder won their franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season game, 116-98 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

The Thunder trailed by 16 in the first half before pulling within 52-48 at halftime. Shaking off a cold shooting first half, the Thunder exploded for 42 third-quarter points and an 18-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander also had a game high eight assists for the Thunder, who are 28-5 and have won 17 of their last 18 regular-season games. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Williams scored 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 11 points and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Amir Coffey led the Clippers with 26 points.

After shooting just 31% in the first half, the Thunder wound up at an even 50% for the game and added to their league-leading steal total with 11 takeaways.

Despite the slow start, the Thunder's depth eventually overwhelmed the Clippers, who were without James Harden, a late scratch.

Williams hit a runner at the halftime buzzer to cut the Clippers lead to four, then scored the first six points of the second half to jumpstart a 23-5 run that put the Thunder in control.

Norman Powell came into the game averaging a career high 24.3 points per game. He missed his first nine shots and didn’t get a basket until eight minutes remained, finishing with six points on 1-of-11 shooting including 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

The Thunder continue their homestand Friday night against the Knicks. The Clippers return home to host Atlanta on Saturday with the expected return of Kawhi Leonard.

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

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams, center, looks to pass the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, knocks the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks for an outlet as Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)