The Houston Rockets stayed perfect this season with a 132-100 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday 28 October 2026. Fred VanVleet scored 24 points, including 15 in a blistering third-quarter burst, as Houston improved to 5-0 while Milwaukee slipped to 1-4.

Second-quarter surge settles it

The game was briefly competitive. Milwaukee led 19-16 late in the first quarter after an 8-0 run capped by an AJ Green three-pointer, but Amen Thompson's 11 first-quarter points helped Houston seize control, and the visitors never looked back.

Thompson and Durant back the star turn

Houston blew the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Milwaukee 34-14 to take a 57-35 half-time lead. The Bucks missed 17 of their first 20 shots in the period and committed three turnovers, while the Rockets built their advantage at the free-throw line, finishing 23 of 26 overall. VanVleet then scored 15 consecutive Houston points midway through the third quarter, stretching the lead back to 81-61 after Milwaukee had briefly closed to within 15. The Rockets carried a 95-69 lead into the final period and cruised home.

Thompson finished with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, and Kevin Durant added 18, while Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 14. Tyler Herro led Milwaukee with 23 points and Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19, but the Bucks' other three starters — Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins — combined for just 12 points on 6-of-27 shooting. Houston shot 54.8% from the floor and made 17 of 38 three-pointers. The Rockets were without starting centre Alperen Sengun, while centre Steven Adams also sat out, but their depth made the absences irrelevant on the night.

Sources: Reuters / Field Level Media, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.