According to the latest official NBA injury report for Saturday, December 27, the Rockets have ruled out center Alperen Sengun for tonight’s matchup due to left calf tightness.

Sengun’s importance to Houston’s 18-10 start cannot be overstated. Fresh off his first All-Star nod, the Turkish big man is averaging career-highs in points (22.7), assists (6.8), and steals (1.5), while anchoring the league’s top rebounding unit averaging 9.4 per game.

The Rockets will look to veteran Steven Adams to step into the starting lineup. While Adams doesn’t offer Sengun’s playmaking flair, he remains a physical force, averaging 8.6 rebounds in limited minutes this season.

Injury reports for both teams

Houston is already navigating the devastating loss of point guard Fred VanVleet, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Aside from Sengun, the rest of the Rockets’ roster is healthy.

The Cavaliers are facing their own depth challenges. While star guard Darius Garland is officially probable due to an illness, the bench will be thin. Cleveland has already ruled out Max Strus (foot), Larry Nance Jr. (calf), Luke Travers, and Chris Livingston.

Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo and the Greek team made history by clinching the bronze medal. This achievement followed a tough semifinal loss to Turkey. After that game, Sengun remarked that Antetokounmpo is “an excellent player, but not a great passer.” The Greek Freak responded by leading Greece to victory over Finland, securing third place in the tournament.

“I’m a guy who doesn’t like to talk a lot; I let my game do the talking. I’m going into my 13th season in the NBA. I’ve won everything. Everything,” Antetokounmpo confidently stated during the post-game press conference after Greece clinched the bronze medal.

Despite Sengun’s remarks, Antetokounmpo remained unfazed. Just as he does in the NBA, he focused on playing his game. Yet, when prompted, he offers candid commentary on how events unfold on the court.

Antetokounmpo reflects on bronze medal success

Beyond addressing Sengun’s comments, Antetokounmpo expressed gratitude for his accomplishments with Greece and emphasized the unwavering support from his family and friends. Their backing was instrumental in reaching third place in a tournament ultimately won by Germany.

“This was something I hadn’t won before, and now I have…I have an incredible family, and I’m surrounded by amazing people who support me every single day. I’ve built incredible relationships. I love to carry myself that way,” Antetokounmpo shared with the media after the achievement.

Analyzing Antetokounmpo’s passing prowess

Contrary to Sengun’s critique, a closer analysis of Antetokounmpo’s statistics at this year’s EuroBasket reveals an average of 4.1 assists per game, accumulating 29 assists throughout the tournament. In scoring, he was the tournament’s second-highest scorer, trailing only Doncic with an average of 27.3 points.

Examining his NBA career, Antetokounmpo has averaged five assists per season, with career highs of 6.5 assists per game in each of the last two seasons. These statistics invite a discussion on whether his passing abilities meet the mark of greatness.

“We traded two first-round picks to get him, so we wouldn’t have done that if we didn’t see somebody who could be this type of impactful player. Alperen, he was the MVP of that league at 18. The only two people who had comparable success in top-tier leagues are Jokic and Luka. So I thought that was a good indicator and just watched the film, like he just does special stuff,” Rafael Stone said, via ESPN Houston.

Alperen entered the NBA spotlight at the tender age of 19, but his journey began much earlier in the Turkish First League, where he debuted professionally at just 16. By 18, he had already clinched the MVP award, boasting averages of 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists with Besiktas Basketball. His remarkable achievements fueled expectations akin to those set by Luka Doncic‘s entry into the NBA. However, his transition did not mirror those lofty anticipations.

While comparing Alperen Sengun to Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic might appear premature, certain similarities are undeniable. Like those two luminaries, Sengun has excelled in a European league and is now making his mark in the NBA. His versatility distinguishes him, as he contributes significantly to both defense and playmaking, providing valuable assets to the Houston Rockets. However, Sengun still needs to reach the elite status that both stars have achieved.

Alperen Sengun earns praise from two NBA legends for his rising talent

While Jalen Green captured most of the spotlight among the Houston Rockets’ young prospects, Alperen Sengun has quietly established himself as one of the franchise’s most complete players. Although he may not be a prolific scorer, the 22-year-old’s talent has drawn high praise from two NBA legends.

“I played against greats like Tim Duncan, you appreciate guys that are fundamentally sound… This kid [Alperen Sengun] is fundamentally sound. He has a little bit of flair with him. Love the way he plays. I respect his game… He shot that three like he knew what he was doing. And I said the name earlier; he reminds me of a young Pau Gasol,” Shaquille O’Neal said, via TNT in 2024.

Not only Shaquille, but also the Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwom decided to praise the young player. According to the Houston Chronicle, he stated in 2024, “I think he plays all around. He moves. He drives on the floor. He plays between power forward and center. He shoots 3s… So he’s playing a very complete game that fits any style — it fits our era or this era. I think he finds a perfect balance between the old school and the new school.”

In an interview with Socrates Degri in Youtube, Houston Rockets young star Alperen Sengun confessed that Jalen Green‘s departure from the franchise was not easy for him. “He was like my brother. I was sad when I got the news… I was very sad—but at the same time, Kevin Durant is coming. Still, Jalen was my brother. I called Jalen right away and told him how I felt: ‘I hope this trade motivates you even more.’ Because I believe Jalen is going to be a really great player.”

Alperen and Jalen entered the NBA together in 2021 and played 266 games as a cohesive unit. They quickly emerged as one of the league’s most promising offensive duos. This made Green’s departure a surprising development for fans, who saw him as one of the highest-potential players on the roster.

In the 2024-25 season, Jalen played all 82 games, showing his scoring prowess he averaged of 21 points, 3.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Despite his good performance, his lack of experience became evident during the postseason, which left some fans disappointed. His transition to the Phoenix Suns provides a chance to grow without the pressure of leading the offense, a role that Devin Booker currently fills.

Could Kevin Durant’s arrival turn the Rockets into serious NBA championship top contenders?

Although the franchise loses a significant asset for the future with the departure of Jalen Green, the arrival of Kevin Durant could be transformative. At 36, the veteran star has managed to remain one of the league’s premier scorers, consistently averaging more than 25 points per game for nine consecutive years.

Moreover, Durant’s ability to shine in crucial moments can be vital. In his last four appearances in the NBA playoffs, he has maintained a scoring average above 26 points while also contributing to the defensive effort and showcasing his veteran experience. Therefore, his arrival could elevate the team to a title-favorite status, as it lacked a player with these capabilities in the 2024-25 season.

Despite the renewed optimism surrounding his one-year contract, the slow negotiation process for an extension has limited the championship window to just a single season. Consequently, many fans are voicing their criticism of this roster management strategy. Only securing the title can alter their perspective on Jalen Green’s departure.

Star center Alperen Sengun is ready to share the frontcourt with Durant. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sengun expressed his excitement about teaming up with the former MVP, while also brushing aside concerns about Durant’s age ahead of the 2025 campaign.

“I’m excited to play with Durant. Everyone is excited to play with him. It doesn’t matter his age. Ultimately, he’s Kevin Durant. I have no doubt he will bring a lot to the team,” Sengun said. “He’s very experienced, and we have some very young players. I think he’ll open up the game for us. He’s incredibly effective both offensively and defensively.”

At 36, Durant is clearly in the later stages of his career, which naturally raises questions about longevity. Still, the Rockets appear willing to offer a two-year extension in hopes that the superstar will finish his career in Houston.

Durant showed last season that he still has plenty left in the tank, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 52.7% shooting from the field and 43.0% from three-point range.

Durant enters a favorable situation in Houston—one that benefits both the player and the franchise. The Rockets boast a hungry, youthful roster eager to win, and Durant’s veteran leadership could help fill the scoring void that haunted them during last postseason’s early exit to the Golden State Warriors.

While the Rockets feature several high-upside young players, Sengun continues to emerge as the centerpiece of the team’s rebuild. With a playmaking style that has drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokic, the Turkish big man displays elite creativity with the ball.

Sengun averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game last season, earning his first career NBA All-Star selection. Though his outside shooting remains a work in progress, his efficiency inside the arc has made him a consistent offensive threat.

Sengun also touched on his ambitions for the coming year: “Our goal is the championship. Everyone wants this. I hope we can give this to the city of Houston.” Sengun, Durant and all members of the Rockets wants the championship.

The NBA is entering the best part of their offseason, which means names will go from roster to roster. Teams are looking to strengthen their squad and help out their stars. That’s the case of the Memphis Grizzlies, who just signed a player to support Ja Morant. The player in question was playing alongside Alperen Sengun for the Houston Rockets but got the short end of the stick after the Kevin Durant trade.

The player in question is center Jock Landale. He is entering his fifth year in the league after playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and the Houston Rockets for the last couple of years.

Landale was waived by the Rockets on Thursday. Memphis didn’t take long to pick him up, as Shams Charania from ESPN reported. The Grizzlies traded big man Jay Huff to Indiana, who is looking to replace Myles Turner. The hole then was filled by Landale.

The Landale experiment can work for Memphis

Landale won’t shock anyone with his numbers. He averaged 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists. He played only 11.9 minutes per game, but that’s because he was the backup for Alperen Sengun.

The starting center of Memphis is Zach Edey, who is good, but is not one to produce like Sengun. Edey only averaged 9.2 points playing 21.5 minutes. It’s a big-time opportunity for Landale to prove his worth.

What are the Grizzlies expectations?

Memphis’ record last season was 48-34, which was good for 8th place in the Western Conference. However, the Grizzlies need to be better if they want to contend. The team was a great offensive unit averaging 121.7 points per game, the second-best of the league. However, their defense was awful, being ranked 24th out of 30.

Landale is a presence under the rim which means attacking the inside of the perimeter will be tough, as the roster also has Jaren Jackson Jr., one of the best defensive players in the NBA. They will guard the paint as Memphis looks to improve on their stock.

Leading the charge is Houston’s rising star, Alperen Sengun, who voiced confidence in his team’s ability to close out the series on their home floor. After back-to-back wins in Games 5 and 6, the Rockets believe that attention to detail will be the key to finishing off Golden State.

“I don’t think they’ve beaten us yet—we’ve beaten ourselves in this series,” Sengun said during Sunday’s shootaround. “We missed free throws, easy shots. When we’re locked in—both defensively and offensively—we have all the talent in the world. There’s no reason for us to lose this game.”

Sengun’s assessment isn’t far off. Every game in the series has been tightly contested, and while Houston’s aggressive defense has frustrated the Warriors, both sides have squandered opportunities with missed open looks. The NBA Game 7 is expected to hinge on execution, efficiency, and defensive intensity.

Sengun respects Warriors’ experience

Sengun is also fully aware of the magnitude of the moment, especially against a battle-tested Golden State Warriors roster featuring Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.

“We know it’s going to be tough. They have so much more experience than us, but we’re ready for it. We’re going to play hard,” Sengun added. “We just need to do what we’ve done the past two games—compete for 50/50 balls, crash the offensive glass, and execute. That’s how we get the win.”

Warriors without key defender in Game 7

The Warriors will be without a key rotation player, as guard Gary Payton II has been ruled out due to illness. Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed the news prior to tip-off, citing that Payton was too unwell to play.

“Gary woke up sick, hasn’t been able to eat,” Kerr said, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “There’s no way he can play. We’re still discussing the impact on the rotation and potential lineup adjustments.”

Payton’s absence is a major blow for Golden State, particularly on the defensive end, where his energy and versatility have been instrumental off the bench throughout the series.

The Turkish center spearheaded Houston’s effort with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, playing a pivotal role in the team’s narrow win. Following the game, the player delivered a strong statement that underscored the Rockets’ ambitions this season.

“I’ve never seen my team this thirsty,” Sengun told TNT Sports in a post-game interview. “I’m proud of my teammates. This is great,” he added, emphasizing the significance of the victory in Houston’s quest for success.

Sengun also offered insight into the team’s preparation and the game’s intensity. “We knew it was gonna be hard. They play aggressive. We play aggressive,” he said. “This is big growth for us against a championship team... We worked hard. We came ready for this game so hard. So I’m happy. This is big time.”

What’s next for the Rockets in the NBA Cup?

With the win over Golden State, the Rockets are now just two games away from NBA Cup glory. Sengun made it clear that the team’s focus remains sharp: “We’re gonna go for the title. Next game, we’re gonna fight again.”

Houston has three days to regroup before taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. The stakes are high, but Sengun is confident about the team’s approach. “We know OKC is a good team. We’re just gonna go over there and play. It’s gonna be a big battle there Saturday,” the 22-year-old remarked.

The road to the NBA Cup final

Saturday’s clash between the Rockets and Thunder will determine one of the finalists for the NBA Cup. Earlier that day, the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks will face off in the other semifinal matchup in Las Vegas.

The winners of these games will meet in the championship final on Tuesday, December 17, at T-Mobile Arena. There, the team that will succeed the Los Angeles Lakers as champions of this young tournament will be crowned.

Days after the win, a courtside video emerged, showing Wembanyama holding the ball beyond the three-point line with Alperen Sengun guarding him closely. At the same time, Rockets’ Dillon Brooks can be heard shouting, “Get up! Get up!” Undeterred, the French center executed a fake, elevated, and sank a three-pointer.

The camera then captures Wembanyama turning to the crowd and exclaiming, “He can’t (expletive) with me!”—a bold display of his competitive spirit. This moment underscored Victor’s drive to not only elevate his game and lead his team but also to establish himself as a force against the league’s best players.

Wembanyama vs. Sengun

In Saturday’s matchup between the two centers, Wembanyama came out on top, scoring 29 points with seven rebounds and one assist in his 30 minutes on the court. Sengun, on the other hand, had a quieter game, recording six points, five rebounds, and two assists in 22 minutes.

Rockets’ quick revenge

Just two days later, the Spurs faced off against the Rockets again at the AT&T Center, but this time, Houston came out on top in a close 106-101 victory. Wembanyama’s scoring dipped slightly, finishing with 14 points, though he still outscored Sengun, who ended the night with 12 points.

Wembanyama’s milestone performance

Despite the loss, Wembanyama marked a personal milestone, recording 20 rebounds and five assists—a rare feat in Spurs history. He became only the fourth player in franchise history to achieve such numbers multiple times, joining legends Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and Dennis Rodman. This accomplishment highlights Wembanyama’s impact on the team and underscores his growing legacy with the Spurs.

Of course, growing pains are typicalamong young hoopers. Rookies tend to hit a wall at some point in the season and then regress, mainlybecause their bodies aren’t used to the physical burden of an entire82-game NBA season.

That’s why several players need a year before taking a leap forward. They need to bulk up, get a hold of anew offensive and defensive schemes, and watch hours of film before bringing out the best of their game. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three young players ready to break out in their second season.

NBA News: 3 Players Ready To Break Out In Their Second Year

3. Joshua Primo

With the San Antonio Spurs looking to tank in 2022-23, Joshua Primo should get as many offensive touches as he can handle. Doug McDermott is a prime trade candidate, so he should have no trouble logging big minutes at the small forward spot.

Primo is a great shooter with the potential to be a 50/40/90 scorer at the NBA level. He may not be an explosive athlete, but he is a good-enough defender, slasher, and shooter to thrive in Gregg Popovich’s old-school system.

2. Alperen Sengun

Alperen Sengun will start at center for the Houston Rockets after spending one season backing up Christian Wood. And even on limited minutes, the Turkish big man showed glimpses of greatness as a low-post scoring threat and playmaker.

The Rockets won’t win many games next season, but they’ll still be must-watch television. Jabari Smith will counter Sengun’s defensive flaws, and he should be a nightly threat to score 20+ with 10+ rebounds. He’s a flashy passer that’ll make them quite fun.

1. Jonathan Kuminga

The Golden State Warriors lost three key defenders in Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, and Juan Toscano-Anderson. On the flip side, that means Jonathan Kuminga will get a massive boost in minutes, and he’s already shown the potential of being an elite two-way player.

Kuminga is a gifted athlete and switchable defender who can guard multiple positions. He can score from all three levels and should get plenty of wide-open looks in Steve Kerr’s motion offense. The Warriors want to keep the dynasty alive, and Kuminga will play a vital role in that.

That’s why just a handful of first-year players make the rounds in their debut season. Others need a while longer to develop or be in a more favorable position, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have superstar potential as well.

Last season, some rookies showed glimpses of great potential, but either hit a wall, didn’t get enough minutes, or their team was stacked at their position. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 5 second-year players likely to break out next season.

NBA 2022-23: 5 Second-Year Players Ready To Break Out

5. Bones Hyland

Nah’Shon ‘Bones’ Hyland slowly worked his way into the Denver Nuggets’ rotation last season. He brought an instant spark of energy off the bench, showed a streaky scoring ability, and often made the right read as a playmaker.

His game was promising enough for the Nuggets to let both Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris go in the offseason. He’s now expected to log heavy minutes as the de factoPG, even when Jamal Murray is back on the court. He could put up 15+ points and 7+ assists a night.

4. Moses Moody

Moses Moody didn’t get much run as a rookie. But his ability to play at both guard spots and even some small forward will come in quite handily for Steve Kerr as he looks to adapt his new lineups with Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, and Nemanja Bjelica all gone.

Moody’s never-ending drive will keep their rivals on their toes. He’s athletic, fast, and shot 43% from the floor on limited minutes as a rookie. He can score from all three levels, create for others, and bulked up throughout the season, so expect him to be even more aggressive.

3. Joshua Primo

The San Antonio Spurs will likely trade Doug McDermott and roll with Devin Vassell at the two, leaving Joshua Primo as thestarting small forward for next season. He’s one of the best shooters in his class and will most definitely make the most of those extra touches.

Primo showed elite defensive prowess during his time in college, and his length and lateral quickness help him cover a lot of ground. He should be one of the focal points of Gregg Popovich’s offense on a not-so-good Spurs team next season.

2. Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga has superstar potential. His NBA-ready body helped him get multiple stops on defense and drive to the lane with ease. He can score from all three levelsand is a much better ball handler than people give him credit for.

Kuminga is the Golden State Warriors’ only hope to be as good as they were last season. They lost three of their best defenders in the offseason and will need him to log heavy minutes at both forward spots to make up for that.

1. Alperen Sengun

Alperen Sengun showed his smooth touch around the rim in the second half of last season. And now that Christian Wood was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, he’ll have virtually no competition for minutes at both the four and the five next season.

Sengun has elite handles and playmaking skills for a big man and even some range. He’s a walking double-double and great in help defense as a shot-blocker, albeit he often gets beat in the pick-and-roll. He could average 20-10 for the young Houston Rockets.