Alperen Sengun Dominates As Rockets Outmuscle Pacers In Indiana

Basketball fans in Indianapolis witnessed a battle of grit, hustle, and sheer willpower as the Houston Rockets edged out the Indiana Pacers 118-114 on February 2, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The win not only cemented Houston’s position as a Western Conference powerhouse but also underscored the steep challenges facing an injury-riddled Pacers squad struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Entering the contest, the Rockets sported a 30-17 record, firmly in fourth place out West. The Pacers, by contrast, were mired in last place in the East at 13-36, hoping to build on a rare three-game home win streak. Odds-makers had Houston favored by 5.5 points, and with key Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season due to a right Achilles tendon tear, the hosts faced an uphill climb from the opening tip.

The Rockets, themselves not immune to the injury bug, were missing several big names. Former MVP Kevin Durant was out with a left ankle sprain, Fred VanVleet continued to recover from ACL surgery, and Steven Adams remained sidelined after left ankle surgery. Indiana’s woes were compounded by the absence of Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture) alongside Haliburton.

With both teams forced to shuffle their lineups, the stage was set for unexpected heroes to emerge. Houston rolled out a starting five of Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun. Indiana countered with Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, Jarace Walker, and Pascal Siakam. The Pacers, attempting to plug the massive hole left by Haliburton, opted to start Jay Huff at center—a move that would soon be tested.

From the opening minutes, it was clear this contest would be won or lost in the trenches. The Rockets, as predicted by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle in his pregame press conference, leaned heavily on physicality and relentless rebounding without Durant’s perimeter firepower. Carlisle observed, “Playing the Rockets without Kevin Durant just meant playing an even more physical team that would be even more dogged on the glass and in the paint.” He couldn’t have been more accurate.

Alperen Sengun, Houston’s dynamic center, delivered a performance for the ages. Sengun dominated every facet of the game, finishing with 39 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists. He connected on 13 of 25 shots from the field and converted 13 of 18 free throws, proving nearly unstoppable around the rim. Time and again, Sengun’s presence on the glass demoralized the Pacers. Houston outrebounded Indiana 56-33, including a staggering 19 offensive boards. Those second-chance opportunities led to 30 Rockets points, compared to just 8 for Indiana—a differential that would ultimately decide the outcome.

“Sengun’s presence on the glass was also huge and helped the Rockets take an overwhelming lead in the rebounding stats,” reported the IndyStar. The Rockets grabbed four crucial offensive rebounds and scored seven second-chance points in the final quarter, keeping the Pacers at bay every time the hosts threatened to close the gap.

The supporting cast for Houston rose to the occasion as well. Forward Jabari Smith Jr. poured in 19 points, while rookie guard Amen Thompson stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Reed Sheppard chipped in 11 points off the bench, providing timely buckets when the Rockets needed them most. Thompson’s all-around play, in particular, stood out as he battled on both ends of the floor, matching Indiana’s physicality and pace.

For the Pacers, the story was one of valiant effort but missed opportunities. Pascal Siakam led the way with 27 points, showcasing his ability to score from all over the court. Bennedict Mathurin added 25, attacking the rim with aggression. Aaron Nesmith, continuing his strong return from a November knee sprain, notched 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Jarace Walker contributed 12 points. Nesmith’s resurgence has been a bright spot for Indiana; over the last five games, he’s averaged 17.8 points on blistering efficiency, hitting 56.1% of his shots and 55.6% from deep.

Despite their best efforts, the Pacers simply couldn’t match Houston’s intensity on the boards. Jay Huff, starting at center after a string of smaller lineups, struggled to contain Sengun and found himself in foul trouble. Isaiah Jackson, given extended minutes off the bench, offered flashes of resistance with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in nearly 25 minutes. Yet, even his energetic play couldn’t swing the rebounding battle in Indiana’s favor. “Huff got the start and found it almost impossible to keep Sengun away from the rim without fouling him, so the Pacers had to give heavy minutes to Jackson,” noted local coverage.

Indiana’s inability to secure defensive rebounds and limit second-chance points ultimately doomed them. The Rockets, relentless in pursuit of every loose ball, seemed to snatch crucial rebounds at will, especially in the game’s waning moments. The Pacers, who average just 0.8 more points per game than the Rockets allow, simply couldn’t generate enough stops or extra possessions to tip the scales their way.

The result leaves the Pacers at 13-37, still anchored at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and searching for answers as they approach the trade deadline. The absence of Haliburton, their offensive engine and floor general, has been felt acutely. While Indiana’s young core continues to develop, the lack of size and rebounding muscle remains a glaring weakness—one that opposing teams, like the Rockets, are more than happy to exploit.

For Houston, the victory boosts their record to 31-17, solidifying their hold on fourth place in the Western Conference. The win also demonstrates the team’s resilience and adaptability, as they continue to thrive despite significant injuries. With Durant and VanVleet sidelined, the emergence of Sengun as a dominant force and the steady contributions from Smith Jr. and Thompson have kept the Rockets firmly in the playoff picture.

Looking ahead, both teams face pivotal stretches as the season grinds on. The Pacers must regroup and address their interior weaknesses if they hope to climb out of the cellar. The Rockets, meanwhile, will look to build on this momentum as they await the return of their injured stars and set their sights on a deep postseason run.

Monday night’s clash at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was a showcase of determination and physicality—one where the Rockets’ relentless rebounding and Sengun’s brilliance proved too much for the Pacers to overcome. As the NBA season marches forward, both franchises know the importance of every game, every rebound, and every opportunity to prove their mettle.