Houston Rockets Face Setback with Alperen Şengün Injury
The Houston Rockets are bracing for a setback as their All-Star center, Alperen Şengün, is likely sidelined for approximately two weeks due to a sprained right ankle. The injury occurred just a minute into the Rockets’ recent game against the Dallas Mavericks, where they ultimately succumbed to a 110-104 defeat.
Injury Details and Team Response
Head coach Ime Udoka provided insight on the situation during a briefing, mentioning that the team will conduct further evaluations of Şengün in the upcoming days. He noted,
“We’ll evaluate him at the end of the week. Need to get the swelling, the pain tolerance down and mobility, but you’re looking at a probably 10-14 days type thing,”
reported by Sports Illustrated’s Lachard Binkley.
Şengün’s injury transpired during a competitive moment, as he attempted a layup against Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. Unfortunately, upon landing, he rolled his right ankle, resulting in him falling to the floor. Medical personnel promptly assessed him, and he exited the game shortly thereafter, officially being ruled out due to the injury.
Impact on the Season
At just 23 years of age, Şengün has been enjoying a breakout season, showcasing impressive statistics with an average of 21.8 points, nine rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, which include the milestone of making his first All-Star appearance last year. Thus, this injury comes at a particularly challenging moment, given his prior history with ankle issues.
Should Şengün miss the entire expected duration, he will be unavailable for eight consecutive games, notably returning in time for a critical clash against the San Antonio Spurs on January 20. The Rockets, who entered their Monday night game against the Phoenix Suns standing fifth in the Western Conference with a 21-11 record, had been riding on the momentum of a four-game win streak until their loss to the Mavericks.
In light of the circumstances, the Rockets will be keenly monitoring Şengün’s recovery as they aim to maintain their competitive standing in the league.
