The Golden State Warriors found themselves in a physical battle against the Houston Rockets during the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Recently, Rockets center Alperen Sengun criticized the Bay Area franchise, comments that didn’t sit well with Draymond Green.
On Tuesday, August 19, Sengun appeared in an interview with Turkish sports analyst Socrates Dergi, where he discussed several topics, including his first postseason experience.
Sengun pointed to Golden State as one of the toughest opponents they could have faced, claiming the Warriors committed numerous fouls throughout the series — and even complained when they didn’t get calls.
The remarks quickly drew a response from Green. Taking to Instagram Threads, the Warriors forward fired back: “Hold that L… That’s a tough thing to say after you lose… You have to win to (say) stuff like that”.
Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets is defended by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the NBA Playoffs. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Golden State’s biggest frustration in the series was the officiating on Stephen Curry, who played through a thumb injury. Following Houston’s Game 5 win, Dillon Brooks even admitted the Rockets deliberately targeted Curry’s injured hand in an effort to wear him down.
see also
Stephen Curry gets real about Warriors’ chances of winning an NBA title with Butler and Green
The Warriors believed officiating allowed the series to become more physical than usual — a style that favored the Rockets. Looking ahead, the two teams will meet three times in the 2025–26 NBA season, with added intrigue as former Warriors star Kevin Durant now suits up for Houston.
Alperen Sengun’s comments on Warriors
In his interview with Turkish sports analyst Socrates Dergi, Sengun claimed the Warriors committed plenty of fouls during the series, but instead of owning up to them, they spent the matchup complaining to officials.
“The Warriors were probably the one team that would have given us the most trouble, and we drew them. They’re a very experienced team, and they fouled a lot. In the playoffs, they don’t call it. But they were the ones crying all series about fouls not being called,“ Sengun said.
He also noted that the Rockets never complained about officiating because head coach Ime Udoka doesn’t allow his players to argue with referees. “When it comes to us, we’re not really allowed to complain. It’s more of an internal thing. Ime Udoka doesn’t allow it. He loses his mind if we complain,” Sengun added.
