Rockets Announce Alperen Sengun's Final Playing Status For Tonight's Game vs Atlanta

Sengun was listed as questionable for tonight's game vs the Hawks

Jan 28, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts after scoring during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

After getting one of their best wins of the season, the Atlanta Hawks are back on the court for the second night of a back-to-back. The Hawks got a surprise win over the Celtics last night and come home to face one of the best teams in the NBA, the Houston Rockets. Like Atlanta, the Rockets are also on the second night of a back-to-back, but they are not coming off a win. The Rockets had a tough loss to the Spurs last night and have not been playing their best as of late.

The Rockets are one of the best teams in the NBA and they are driven by center Alperen Sengun, but Sengun was listed as questionable coming into tonight's game. The Rockets just announced his playing status for the game.

Sengun is available to play tonight for Houston, giving them a major boost. The Hawks meanwhile will be without Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, and Kristaps Porzingis.

Big win in Boston

Jan 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

This was one of the best first halves of the season for the Hawks, and they did not even play that well in the second quarter.

The Hawks used a 30-6 run in the first quarter to race out to a lead over the Celtics and they were getting it done with defense and three point shooting, two of the biggest keys of the game. Atlanta led 38-18 at the end of the opening period and were shooting 7-12 from three, while the Celtics were just 3-12. Dyson Daniels, who missed the matchup between the two teams a couple of weeks ago, played great defense on MVP candidate Jaylen Brown, holding him to 1-6 shooting from the floor.

In their first matchup this season, the Hawks gave up a 52 point second quarter and an 82 point first half.

Last night, Boston only scored 106 points all night.

Atlanta made sure not to let Jaylen Brown get comfortable, holding him to 21 points on 9-20 shooting (0-5) from three and the Celtics to 27% from three. Winning the three point battle is always crucial against the Celtics and the Hawks did that tonight.

The three point shooting did not work out in the Hawks favor in the first matchup between these two teams, but it went Atlanta's way tonight.

The Hawks were 18-42 on the night from downtown and had big nights from Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Corey Kispert.

Can the Hawks have a similar performance tonight? It will be tough being on a back-to-back, but they have been playing well and have a chance to get a win tonight against one of the best teams in the league.