In Sunday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun suffered a frightening fall, causing him to leave the game in a wheelchair. Sengun got injured while contesting a layup from Domantas Sabonis. After the game, it was reported Sengun would undergo an MRI on his right ankle and right knee.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun will undergo an MRI on both his right knee and ankle on Monday, sources tell ESPN. He was carted off floor late in Rockets’ victory over Kings tonight. pic.twitter.com/XohZZr9MN4
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2024
Though nothing is official, it is very possible Sengun will miss extensive time and possibly the remainder of the season.
Houston Rockets Star Forced to Leave Game, Will Undergo MRI
Alperen Sengun’s Season
This season was Sengun’s best up to this point. In 62 games, the third-year big man is averaging 21.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. These numbers are all career highs for Sengun. Currently, Sengun (+2200) has the fourth-best betting odds to win the NBA Most Improved Player award this season. Furthermore, Sengun recently dropped a career-high 45 points against Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. Sengun spoke about his performance against Wembanyama after the game:
“I mean, yeah, of course,” Şengün said of his extra motivation going up against Wembanyama. “I didn’t play that well against him last game I can say. And I didn’t have many double teams, they just left me one-on-one with Wemby. I just did what I do.”
Though he did not make it to the All-Star team this season, his incredible play has not gone unnoticed. Recently, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal praised Sengun’s game, comparing him to Hall of Famer Pau Gasol.
Alperen Sengun WENT OFF vs. Wemby 😤
45 PTS (career-high)
16 REB
5 STL
19-32 FG pic.twitter.com/tMELUyoriy— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2024
How Alperen Sengun’s Injury Impacts the Rockets
To say losing Sengun for any period of time will prove difficult for Houston is an understatement. The 21-year-old led the team in scoring and rebounding. Furthermore, his 53.7 FG% leads the team among all qualified players. Right now, the Rockets are 29-35 and own the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference. They are also 4.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the final Play-In spot as well. Although it would have been a difficult climb for the team as is, their postseason odds rely on Sengun’s availability. Depending on the severity of his injury, it is very likely the Rockets are unable to make a late-season push.
Assuming Sengun misses time, the team will likely start center Jock Landale in his place. Landale has appeared in 37 games for the Rockets this season, coming off the bench in each contest. In those games, he is averaging 2.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Furthermore, the Rockets will likely rely more heavily on Jabari Smith Jr. to hold down the fort in the frontcourt. Smith Jr. is enjoying a solid sophomore season in the league, averaging 13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
The Last Word on Alperen Sengun’s Injury
It’s clear the Turkish native is on pace for great success in the NBA. Hopefully for Sengun and the Rockets, this injury is not serious and we see him in action again this season.
