Alperen Sengun brings rockets to Indiana

Without Kevin Durant, injured in the ankle, Houston a large one is needed Alperen Sengun to win in Indianapolis. The least we can say is that the Turk returned: 39 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists (in 35 minutes), 13 of 25 shots and 13 of 18 free throws!

XSL performance, his best of the season, of course, to lead the way Rockets to a narrow victory (118-114) on floor Pacers. As for them being guided Pascal Sakak (27 points) et Benedict Maturin (25 points) from the bench.

This very balanced meeting caused a clash of styles. On the one hand, the Houston team is mostly supported by just one player, Alperen Sengun, and his aggressiveness in the paint that materialized on the rebound and at the free throw line. On the other hand, the team ofIndiana collectively outgunned and much more dependent on their 3-point success, they control the first half but then struggle more in the second.

Undecided for a long time, with many lead changes and the deficit mostly below ten points, this match will finally be decided in the last minutes. The score of 12-2 thus brought the Rockets to +8 five minutes from the end, with the fact that the Pacers did not give up so easily and almost immediately got back to one possession. Before being punished under the panel.

Summary of this piece because, like offensive rebounds by Amen Thompson, Jae’Sean Tate, Alperen Sengun or Jabari Smith Jr. in the final two minutes, Rick Carlisle’s players were almost constantly on the back foot physically, facing the ferocity and aggressiveness of opponents in the air or near the circle. Who, with 31 of 37 at the line, never missed an opportunity to make the most of their second chances or caused mistakes.

TO BE REMEMBERED

Alperen Sengun had a message to deliver. Forgotten from the list Substitutes for the 2026 All-Star GameAlperen Sengoun used his duel with Pascal Siakam, retained in the East and therefore in the World Team, to inform the coaches of their mistake. Without Kevin Durant, he once again became the Rockets’ No. 1 offensive option and had no problem consistently playing against his defenders, who were too limited to contain him. Backed by Clint Capela and Amen Thompson, he especially symbolized the Texans’ strong interior dominance, safely winning their third straight game, but with pain against the 15th in the East.

Houston continues to impose itself inside. That said, but the Rockets dominated the bench, even without Steven Adams, between their 19 offensive rebounds (which generated… 30 second-chance points!) and their 58 points in the paint. This was necessary to compensate for a defense that was too often mishandled by the fast game (23 points on the counterattack and 26 points off the turnover). Special mention goes to Alperen Sengun, of course, but also Amen Thompson and Clint Capela. Not forgetting the amazing Jae’Sean Tate, revived by Kevin Durant’s injury and decisive in the end with his energy.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.