Green and VanVleet score 21 each as Houston Rockets rout San Antonio Spurs 127-100

HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet had 21 points each and the Houston Rockets built a huge lead early and coasted to a 127-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.

Houston never trailed and had built a 25-point lead by halftime. The Rockets were up by 27 points when coach Ime Udoka cleared the bench with about 6½ minutes remaining.

Alperen Sengun added 16 points for the Rockets, who won for the fourth time in five games. VanVleet had 10 assists and seven rebounds — both season-highs — to go with his top scoring effort of the season.

Victor Wembanyama had 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks for the Spurs, who lost a second straight game. They were playing a third consecutive game without coach Gregg Popovich, who is out indefinitely while recovering from an illness. Mitch Johnson is filling in as interim coach while the 75-year-old Popovich, who did not travel with the team on this road trip, is out.

Spurs: San Antonio’s defense suffered Wednesday in its first game without top on-ball defender Jeremy Sochan, who suffered a fractured left thumb that will require surgery in Monday’s game. Rookie Stephon Castle, who started in his place, will need to step up with Sochan likely out for an extended period.

Rockets: After failing to play consistently for four quarters in the last two games, Houston finally put together a complete game against the Spurs.

The Rockets were up by 7 with about five minutes left in the first quarter before using a 7-0 run, with the first five points by VanVleet, to make it 22-8. The Spurs didn’t get closer than 10 points after that.

The Rockets dominated inside, outscoring the Spurs 66-46 in the paint.

San Antonio hosts Portland on Thursday night and the Rockets visit Oklahoma City on Friday night.

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

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) tries to put up a shot as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, back, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, left, attempts to block the pass by San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul, front, loses the ball as Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, left, reaches in and Spurs guard Stephon Castle, right, tries to grab the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) looks to pass the ball under pressure from Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) dunks the ball over San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

ATLANTA (AP) — No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher scored 33 points and had seven rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks rallied late to beat the New York Knicks 121-116 on Wednesday night.

Risacher's 33 points were the most by a rookie this season. He also had three assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

The Hawks trailed 110-105 with 2:57 to play, but went on a 13-1 run to put the game away.

Jalen Johnson had 23 points and 15 rebounds. Trae Young had 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds one game after scoring just two points on 1-for-10 shooting against Boston.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 34 points and 16 rebounds. Jalen Brunson scored 21 points.

Knicks: The Knicks shook off a sluggish start and played well in the final three quarters in front of a healthy contingent of Knicks fans in Atlanta but ultimately finished their road trip 2-2.

Hawks: The Hawks bounced back from a poor showing in a 30-point loss to the Celtics with one of their best efforts of the season. Risacher played by far his best game of the season.

Clint Capela capped a 9-1 run with a fast break dunk with 46.9 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a 114-111 lead. Young started a fast-break off a 3-point miss from Towns and dished it to a sprinting Capela for the dunk.

The Knicks entered the game as the league's best 3-point shooting team at 41.4%, and the Hawks were surrendering a league-worst 39.8% from deep. The Knicks ended up connecting on 46.8% on Wednesday, hitting 22 of 47.

The Knicks return home to face the struggling Bucks on Friday. The Hawks will be at Detroit on Friday for the first game of their third back-to-back situation of the young season.

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

Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) plays defense against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) goes up for a rebound against New York Knicks center Jericho Sims, right, and forward OG Anunoby, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, blocks a shot attempt by New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Atlanta Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (2) drives the baseline while guarded by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) drives the lane while guarded by New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) goes up for a lay up during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) shoots a three pointer while guarded by New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) goes up for a slam dunk while guarded by New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)