Sengun faces uncertain future after 'scary' injury
Alperen Sengun's injury casts a shadow over Houston Rockets' comeback win against Sacramento Kings
Despite a remarkable 112-104 comeback win against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, the Houston Rockets were left somber as their promising center, Alperen Sengun, suffered a concerning injury in the game's final minute.
Sengun, a breakout star in his third season, had been a focal point of the Rockets' offense and a key player in their unlikely postseason aspirations. The injury occurred when he raced back defensively to block a shot from Domantas Sabonis, resulting in an awkward landing where his right knee buckled.
The Turkish center left the court in visible pain, using a wheelchair, and later departed Golden 1 Center on crutches. With 18 games remaining in the season, uncertainty looms over when Sengun can return to the court.
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet expressed the team's collective concern, acknowledging the challenges of witnessing a teammate, especially a young talent, go down with a severe injury. The extent of Sengun's injury will be assessed through MRIs on his right knee and ankle in Houston on Monday.
Sengun's impact on the court has been substantial, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and five assists this season, with an impressive shooting percentage of 53.7%. If sidelined, he would be a significant loss for the Rockets, given his historic stats as the 10th player in NBA history to achieve at least 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists while shooting over 53%.
The Rockets, however, managed to secure their third consecutive road win, marking their longest road winning streak of the season. This win showcased resilience and team balance amid the potential setback of Sengun's injury.
Source: Newsroom
