NBA: Rockets beat Wizards as Trae Young ejected for leaving bench

Washington Wizards guard Will Riley, left, and Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, right, compete the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

WASHINGTON — Alperen Sengun had 32 points and 13 rebounds, Kevin Durant scored 30 and the Houston Rockets beat the Washington Wizards 123-118 in the NBA on Monday night.

Trae Young was ejected from the game after leaving the bench to come on the court to complain to a referee, days before he is expected to make his Wizards debut.

READ: NBA: Trae Young has fresh start in Washington, prioritizes health

Durant made all 11 free throws and added seven assists and six rebounds in his only game close to his Maryland home this season. Amen Thompson had 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Reed Sheppard finished with 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and six steals in his first career double-double.

Bilal Coulibaly scored 23 points and Sharife Cooper had 21 for the Wizards.

Washington coach Brian Keefe said before the game that Young was trending toward being ready to play Thursday against Utah. The All-Star point guard was limited to just 10 games this season with Atlanta and was sidelined by knee and quadriceps injuries when the Wizards acquired him in January.

But Young didn’t wait to get into the action, getting ejected in the third quarter during a confrontation between Houston’s Tari Eason and Washington’s Jamir Watkins. Eason was also thrown out.

Washington was 12 for 19 from 3-point range in the first half but just 6 for 28 inside the arc as Houston led 60-51. Thompson had 12 points and Durant 11 in the third quarter as the Rockets pushed the lead to 18, and they led by 19 in the fourth before Washington made the score close with a 38-point period.

Washington center Julian Reese fouled out with two points in his NBA debut. The brother of WNBA player Angel Reese started and played 28 minutes.