Inside The Rockets

Rockets Coach Gets Honest About Alperen Sengun vs. Spurs

Alperen Sengun didn't play well as the Houston Rockets lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

Jeremy Brener

Oct 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) practices free throws before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) practices free throws before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
In this story:

It wasn't Alperen Sengun's night as the Houston Rockets lost 109-106 to the San Antonio Spurs in the third game of the season at the Frost Bank Center.

Sengun played just 22 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing five rebounds in what was easily his worst game of the season so far.

After the game, Rockets coach Ime Udoka explained why he felt Sengun struggled against the Spurs.

"I wouldn't say he played his best game in general," Udoka said via ClutchFans. "Sloppy at times. The pace we were playing with, it didn't look like he kept up with it."

Sengun didn't enter in the fourth quarter until there were just 11 seconds left, only to give the team more size to box out for a rebound on a big free throw.

The game against the Spurs proved that there are plenty of talented players on the roster, and nobody, even the team's newly-extended center, can be sent to the bench if he isn't performing up to standards.

Sengun will find a way to bounce back. Perhaps the game being on the second night of a back-to-back was part of the reason for his fatigue, and a day of rest will do him some good.

Sengun will have a shot at redemption against the Spurs tomorrow at 7 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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