The Houston Rockets are at the top of the Western Conference.

Alperen Sengun had 26 points with 10 assists and seven rebounds Monday night as Houston beat the Boston Celtics 109-93.

The Rockets improved to 7-1. They moved into first place in the West after the Memphis Grizzlies lost for the first time this season.

Best start in more than a decade

Houston is off to its best start since the 2014-15 season.

The Rockets never trailed. They outscored Boston 18-2 on the fast break and 50-34 in the paint.

The game was tied 29-29 after one quarter. Houston led 57-50 at halftime and pulled away from there.

Plenty of help

Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson each scored 14 points. Tari Eason added 13.

Kevin Durant scored 12 on 5-of-6 shooting.

Former Celtic Marcus Smart gave his old team problems all night. He finished with eight points plus four rebounds and four assists.

Celtics streak snapped

Boston had won five straight games since losing its season opener at Detroit.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 19 points but shot 5 of 16. He made just 1 of 7 from 3-point range.

Neemias Queta scored 16. Luka Garza came off the bench to hit four 3-pointers and score 14.

Boston was playing the second night of a back-to-back. Paul George rested after scoring 17 in Sunday's win at Orlando.

Houston center Clint Capela sat out with a sprained right ankle.

Up next

The Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. The Rockets host the Minnesota Timberwolves the same night.