Dyson Daniels has tasted defeat for the first time this NBA season, with his Atlanta side going down 121-114 in their home opener to Houston.
Fellow Boomers superstar Josh Giddey's slow start to the campaign continued against Washington, when the Bulls were beaten 124-120 in Chicago also on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Daniels tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal as the Hawks dropped to 2-1 and the Rockets recorded their first 3-0 start since 2017-18.
Kevin Durant scored 22 points, while Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason both had 19 for the visitors.
Atlanta nearly pulled off a miracle comeback by cutting Houston’s 20-point lead down to five in the closing moments, but the Rockets held on with seven of their squad scoring in double figures.
After registering just eight points combined in Chicago's opening two matches, Giddey had nine against the Wizards (2-1) and went close to a triple-double by adding eight rebounds and 10 assists.
No.4 draft pick Caleb Wilson had 30 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls (1-2) at home, while Trae Young had 25 points and nine assists, Kyshawn George 22 points and Anthony Davis 19 for the team from the capital.
Tyrese Proctor, another Australian, had five points as Cleveland beat the Brooklyn Nets 125-121 for their first victory.
Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points, Jarrett Allen 21 and Evan Mobley 20 for the Cavaliers (1-1).
Elsewhere, Philadelphia made it three wins on the bounce by downing the Milwaukee Bucks with Joel Embiid notching a triple-double, while the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets also enjoyed victories.
With AP.
