Rockets center Alperen Sengun aims to build on a breakout performance when Houston hosts the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday for the third meeting of the season between the in-state rivals.
Sengun struggled to find his stroke over his first five outings of 2024-25, shooting just 37 percent from the floor while averaging 15.2 points. He scored 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting in an overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday but played just 21 minutes after the Rockets fell behind big before battling back.
The big man carried his promising play from Saturday into Monday and helped Houston to a 109-97 home win over the New York Knicks.
Sengun was brilliant in every fashion against the Knicks, scoring 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting while adding 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
Before the game, Rockets coach Ime Udoka emphasized to Sengun the need to run the offense through the post, where Sengun had an advantage against New York’s tandem of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jericho Sims.
“Alpi’s going to bounce back eventually,” Udoka said. “We had a good talk (earlier Monday) about ways he can impact the game and ways I can help him, as well as him helping himself out there.
“I thought he had a phenomenal game (against the Knicks) and stuffed the stat sheet across the board and took on the challenge on both ends.”
Houston’s ability to determine its top offensive threat on a nightly basis might come to define its season.
Sengun and guard Jalen Green, both in their fourth seasons, are the obvious candidates to share the workload. Down the stretch against the Knicks, both played a role in helping the Rockets pull away after New York sliced what was once a 15-point deficit down to one.
“We were just trusting each other,” said Green, who had eight points and three assists in the fourth quarter. “Getting the space right and just attacking what we had. … Everyone did a good job.”
The Spurs are coming off a 113-104 loss against the host Los Angeles Clippers on Monday that saw the visitors blow an early 26-point lead.
San Antonio squandered the 40-14 advantage it carried into the second quarter, though the Spurs’ dominant opening frame flashed the team’s defensive potential.
“Our defense has been really good when we’ve been connected and communicate and execute the game plan,” said San Antonio interim coach Mitch Johnson, who is filling in for an ill Gregg Popovich.
“Obviously we have a very unique player in Victor (Wembanyama) defensively that allows us to be unique in some of our schemes and approach. When we’re all on the same page we can be pretty good on that end.”
Wembanyama had nine blocks in addition to 24 points and 13 rebounds. However, he shot below 50 percent overall for a fifth consecutive game.
His shooting struggles perhaps raise concern as to whether or not the Spurs are positioning Wembanyama to maximize his otherworldly offensive gifts.
“I think for Victor, he has so much skill,” Johnson said. “Putting it all together is difficult at times for a young player of his caliber, even. It’s difficult for every young player. So I think he’s done a great job. … I’m sure he’ll be better with more seasoning and experience.”
The Spurs and Rockets split a back-to-back set in San Antonio back in late October.