On Sunday’s win against the Sacramento Kings, the Rockets star Alperen Sengun was dealt a harsh hand. The 21-year-old had a frightening fall in the final minute of the game. Contesting a transition layup by Domantas Sabonis left the Turkish star landing awkwardly on his right leg as he immediately held his knee in obvious pain. Sengun left the court in a wheelchair.

Considering the situation, everyone got ready to hear the worst. But the latest update on Alperen Sengun saw all breathe a collective sigh of relief. He sustained a Grade 3 ankle sprain and will be OUT for the rest of the regular season.

While it isn’t ideal for Houston to have one of their best players sidelined for the rest of the season, it’s still better than what was initially projected to have been the result of his fall.

Alperen Sengun has taken that “third-year leap” to the next level

The Rockets made a lot of changes to the team this season. Acquiring veterans like Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, and Jeff Green and getting Ime Udoka to take the place of Stephen Silas all meant that Houston was ready to move their team to the next step. And all of this has helped Sengun to take his game to another level. Playing in 63 games, Sengun is averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in what can definitely be called his breakout season!

But his brilliant performance throughout the season is also because of a tough summer. This time, in contrast to his usual routine of practicing with the Turkish National Team, Alperen ensured to get in individual workouts. He focused particularly on the physical side as well as shooting more effectively.

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The 6’11 center has a TS% of 58.5 while he is shooting 53.7% from the field. If that isn’t enough to showcase how good he is, Alperen Sengun is among the few players in NBA history to average 19-4-4 on 50% shooting at 22 years old or less for an entire season. The names in this list include Antetokounmpo, MJ, Abdul-Jabbar, David Thompson, and Kevin Johnson.

The Rockets have a tough problem on their hands

Alperen Sengun has been the offensive threat that every opponent of the Houston Rockets is careful of. According to CBS Sports, the team has scored 114 points per 100 possessions while Alpi is on-court. But it was limited to just 106 without him. It’s not all that surprising, really.

Alperen Sengun Dedicates Career Night to Rockets’ Injured 22YO Starlet

Sengun brings with him a unique skill set that has often drawn comparisons with the Serbian big man, Nikola Jokic. Coach Udoka puts this into perspective when he talks about the post-up ability of Alperen. “The post threat that he is, we don’t have that on our team. There’s not a lot of post threats in the league that do what he does.” He is, after all, among the top 5 on the list.

The Rockets, for their part, are 29-34 with Sengun on the floor, while they lost the only game he sat out this season vs the Hawks. There will obviously be a need for adjustments and changes. Seeing that Jeff Green started the center position in Sengun’s absence in Atlanta, it’s likely he will find himself in that position again.