Ime Udoka doesn’t hold back on his philosophy, even when his own players affect the team’s scheme. On the receiving end was center Alperen Sengun. A missed chance from the 23-year-old drew the ire of the Houston Rockets head coach in the tense 117-116 win over the Warriors. Sengun attempted a 25-foot three-pointer despite struggling from deep—he was already 1-of-4 from beyond the arc. With 6:15 remaining in the fourth quarter and Houston up by 10, it was a risky decision.

Given Sengun’s career three-point percentage hovers around 28%, Golden State was content to let him take that shot, and the gamble paid off when he missed. Udoka’s frustration stemmed from more than just the miss. The long rebound triggered a fast-break opportunity, leading to a three-pointer on the other end. Recognizing the momentum shift, Udoka quickly called a timeout and unleashed his anger on Sengun. Even the broadcast picked up on Sengun’s failed attempts to apologize, emphasizing how costly such decisions can be against a team led by Stephen Curry.

“And he says, ‘My bad,’ but Ime Udoka didn’t want to hear it. Because now you’ve opened the door for Stephen Curry and the Warriors. You take bad shots, which leads to long rebounds and easy transition buckets. That was the only way the Warriors could win.” Sengun was on the bench for a minute after the timeout.

The young center raised his hand in acknowledgment, attempting to apologize, but Udoka wasn’t interested in explanations in that moment.

Sengun briefly sat after the timeout but returned with purpose. He finished with 24 points, scoring five in the final minute, including a go-ahead layup with 11 seconds left that ultimately sealed the win. His late-game response proved his importance to Houston’s offense and helped the team secure a crucial victory.

That win pushes the Rockets to six straight, bringing them within striking distance of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference standings, though Houston still trails both in tiebreakers.

Udoka was clearly upset with the decision in the moment, but he also valued Sengun’s overall impact on the game, especially as the team continues to build momentum.

Ime Udoka asked 29 other teams to pick their poison

The broader picture reflects Udoka’s evolving offensive philosophy. The offense has shifted from isolation and post-up plays to a more dynamic system built on increased ball movement, making it difficult for opponents to keep up.

The adjustment has paid off—during their win streak, the Rockets lead the league in offensive rating (points per 100 possessions).

Speaking about the duo, Udoka said, “It’s good. You have to pick your poison. You can switch it, and one of them will usually have a mismatch, and you’ve got to get two on the ball. As I said all year, teams should fear Alpie in the pocket making the right play. Made some right plays, finishes, passes tonight, and yeah, as long as you don’t turn it over, it’s really worked out well for us.”

Whether through scoring, passing, or exploiting mismatches, Sengun’s versatility forces opponents into difficult decisions—exactly the kind of impact Udoka expects, even if it occasionally comes with tough sideline lessons.