Celtics Fall to Rockets 109-93 as Cold Streak Snaps Five-Game Win Run

The Boston Celtics lost their five-game winning streak on Monday night, falling 109-93 to the Houston Rockets. The defeat occurred during the second leg of a back-to-back schedule, with Boston having defeated the Orlando Magic late Sunday afternoon before traveling to Houston.

Shooting efficiency defined the night for Boston, who shot just 39 percent from the field. The team also struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 12 of 42 attempts for a 29 percent success rate. These numbers proved difficult to overcome against a Houston squad that maintained consistent pressure throughout the four quarters.

Alperen Sengun controlled the interior for the Rockets, finishing with a game-high 26 points. He also recorded 10 assists and 7 rebounds, adding two steals and two blocks. Sengun’s performance limited Boston’s options in the paint and forced the Celtics to rely heavily on perimeter shooting, which was not their strength on Monday.

The Celtics’ perimeter unit struggled to find rhythm, with several key players missing on their attempts. Jayson Tatum shot 1-for-7 from three and 5-for-16 overall. Derrick White finished 3-for-12 from the field, while Sam Hauser went 1-for-6, including 0-for-5 from deep. Payton Pritchard was 0-for-7 in his 30 minutes as a reserve.

Chris Forsberg and Eddie House noted the impact of the shooting slump in their postgame analysis. They pointed out that Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard combined for 13 points on 4-of-25 shooting. Forsberg stated that this performance spoiled a potential measuring stick game, particularly given the contributions made by the starting big men.

The gap between the teams widened in the fourth quarter, where Houston pulled away from a deficit. Boston never led the game, managing only to stay within striking distance until the final period. By the 7:56 mark of the fourth, the Rockets led 93-79. Houston extended that advantage to 18 points before Boston cut it to 13, but the margin was sufficient to secure the win.

Paul George was available for the game but did not play, a common occurrence in back-to-back situations. The Celtics will return home on Wednesday to host the Milwaukee Bucks. Following that contest, Boston will embark on a four-game road trip that includes stops in Charlotte, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Toronto.

Jayson Tatum appeared to recover his mood after the loss, sharing a light moment with Marcus Smart during the postgame meet-up. Smart had attempted to engage Tatum with jokes during the game, but the center was focused on the contest. The interaction occurred after the final horn, providing a brief moment of levity following the offensive struggles.

The loss drops the Celtics’ record to 5-2 on the season. The team’s inability to convert on open looks left them with few options to counter Sengun’s interior dominance. Houston’s defense forced Boston into low-percentage shots, a pattern that persisted from the opening tip through the final buzzer.