Report: Rockets' Alperen Şengün to Undergo MRI on Knee, Ankle After Injury vs. Kings
Mar 11, 2024
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 2: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets looks on before the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 2, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, but the victory came at a cost.
Big man Alperen Şengün suffered an injury when challenging a Domantas Sabonis shot in transition and was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski noted he landed on his left leg, which left him "writhing in pain."
Alperen Sengun was taken to the locker room after an apparent leg injury
The play happened in the final minute of the game.
Wojnarowski reported Şengün will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of injuries on his left knee and ankle.
Şengün finished with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals while shooting 7-of-14 from the field in the 112-104 win. He was one of seven Rockets players to score in double figures, including Fred VanVleet (22 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals).
Sabonis led the way in defeat for the Kings with a double-double of 25 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks.
While it was an important win for a Rockets team attempting to make up ground in the Western Conference play-in tournament race, the injury overshadowed the outcome from their perspective.
Şengün has been excellent this season and entered play averaging 21.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists a night while shooting 53.7 percent from the field.
His breakout effort at 21 years old is one reason there is long-term optimism in Houston even though it has been relatively inconsistent this season. Even with Sunday's victory, it is still just 29-35 on the campaign and 4.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament.
Making up that deficit will be even more difficult without Şengün if he is forced to miss significant time with that setback.
Kevin Durant, Suns Slammed by Fans for Loss to Rockets After Bradley Beal Ejection
Mar 3, 2024
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns attempts to pass the ball under pressure from Dillon Brooks #9 of the Houston Rockets during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on February 29, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
After beating the Houston Rockets on Thursday, the Phoenix Suns couldn't get the job done the second time around, losing to the Rockets 118-109 Saturday night.
Things got chippy between the two teams, with Bradley Beal being ejected in the third quarter after getting into it with Houston's Jalen Green. The tussle must have gotten Green fired up, as he finished the night with a game-high 34 points along with nine boards.
Kevin Durant had a slow start to the game, but stepped up after Beal's ejection to notch 30 points and nine rebounds. His performance helped eliminate a double-digit deficit and bring it to a one-possession game in the fourth, but the Rockets used a late run to pull away in the final minutes.
After the game, Suns fans expressed their frustration on social media for their team's inconsistency this season.
We went away from kd when the game was closer when he’s been on fire, no pecking order. Sooner the suns realize kd is there best player and ball should be going thru him first the better they’ll be
With the loss, the Suns drop to 35-25 on the season and hold their spot in fifth place in the Western Conference. While Phoenix is still in a good playoff position, the No. 5 and No. 8 seeds are separated by just a game and a half, so their position could change on any given night.
Robert Reid Dies At Age 68; Played in 2 NBA Finals with Rockets
Feb 21, 2024
PISCATAWAY, NJ - CIRCA 1977: Robert Reid #50 of the Houston Rockets in action against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game circa 1977 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Reid played for the Rockets from 1977-82 and 1983-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Robert Reid, who starred for a Houston Rockets team that made the NBA Finals in 1981 and 1986, died Monday at the age of 68.
The Rockets confirmed Reid's passing.
The Fertitta Family and the Houston Rockets are deeply saddened by the passing of former player, Robert Reid, whose contributions were instrumental in guiding the Houston Rockets to their first two NBA Finals appearances in 1980-81 and 1985-86. pic.twitter.com/6fc5dyLqDA
Per Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle, Reid died of cancer.
Reid played 13 NBA seasons, the first 10 of which came with the Rockets, who selected the 6'8" forward with a second-round pick in the 1977 NBA draft out of St. Mary's University in San Antonio.
His best season was 1980-81, when he finished third on the team in scoring (15.9 PPG), second in rebounds (7.1 RPG) and first in steals (2.0 SPG).
That Rockets team snuck into the playoffs with a 40-42 record but engineered an underdog run to the NBA Finals that began with a first-round series victory over the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The Rockets, who also featured Hall of Famers Moses Malone and Calvin Murphy, then faced Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. Reid dropped 27 points in Game 1 to lead all scorers, but the C's pulled out a 98-95 win. Houston fought hard against the heavily favored C's but fell in six games.
Reid played one more season before retiring in 1982 to devote more time to his Pentecostal faith. He returned one year later and didn't show any rust en route to 14.0 PPG in 1983-84.
Two seasons later, the Rockets returned to the NBA Finals in part because of Reid, who led all Houston reserves with 12.0 PPG. Reid ended up joining the starting lineup for good by the end of the regular season, playing alongside Hall of Famer Akeem (now Hakeem) Olajuwon.
Like in 1981, the defending NBA champion Lakers stood in their way of making the championship round. This time around, Houston had to face the 62-win Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
The Rockets stunned the Lakers, though, defeating them in five. Reid did his part with 14.6 PPG, including 23 in a Game 4 win.
His best moment occurred in Game 5, though, when he hit a corner three with 15 seconds left to tie the game at 112. After the Lakers came up empty, Rockets center Ralph Sampson hit the game-winner with no time left to send Houston to the championship.
Thanks in part to Reid, the Rockets prevented the Lakers from winning the Western Conference in all 10 NBA seasons ending in the 1980s. L.A. won eight, while Houston took the other two.
Boston awaited Houston again and beat the Rockets in six again. But Reid was great in the two wins, dropping 20 points and nine assists in Game 3 and 13 points and 17 assists in Game 5.
Reid played two more seasons with the Rockets before joining the expansion Charlotte Hornets in 1988. He rounded out his career with the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers before retiring for good.
Per ESPN News Services, Reid sits fourth in Rockets history in "games played (762), fifth in steals (881), eighth in points (8,823) and rebounds (3,706), ninth in blocks (364) and 10th in assists (2,253)."
After his career ended, Reid was heavily involved in the community, per Jyesha Johnson of Fox 26 Houston:
"After retirement, Reid remained active in his community and dedicated himself to charitable causes. While he may have stepped away from the spotlight of the NBA, his impact on the game and his legacy as a player committed to his principles endure."
He also shared his love of basketball through coaching in numerous professional leagues and in clinics around the world. Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram offered more insight in 2013.
"A second-round pick by the Rockets in '77, Reid has been an assistant coach in the Continental Basketball Association, American Basketball Association, United States Basketball League, and in Hungary, and has worked basketball clinics in India, Spain and the Canary Islands. Brown believes it's only a matter of time before the Schertz High School product is sitting on an NBA bench as a coach."
He also coached at Ranger College, where head coach Larry Brown noted his humility and compassion toward others.
"He comes out here and he's the dorm director over there, and he cooks for the players. Over Thanksgiving, he cooked turkey and ham. Every night on Monday Night Football he has a cookout where he'll have a Cajun boil or something. He just loves working with kids and is always trying to help them with their goals in life and basketball, and it's been just a good fit for all of us in here to try to build something at Ranger."
Per ABC 13 Houston, Reid is survived by his wife, Diana, and four children (Robert Jr., Keva, Crystal and Jana).
Mikal Bridges Trade Rumors: Rockets Were Willing to Offer Jalen Green for Nets Star
Feb 5, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 26: Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring a basket and a foul during the second quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 26, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets were prepared to give up guard Jalen Green in a trade for a veteran upgrade, according to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer.
Fischer reported Monday that Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges was one such target, and Houston's interest "reached most corners of the league the weekend" prior to the team's acquisition of center Steven Adams.
"Rival front offices were abuzz about the Rockets' willingness to include [Green] in packages for Bridges and other marquee wing," he added.
The Rockets had little to show from the rebuild they began early into the 2020-21 season after trading James Harden. They went 17-55 that year before winning 42 combined games over the next two seasons.
Between hiring Ime Udoka as head coach and committing $214.5 million total to Fred VanVleet and Dillion Brooks, the front office and ownership were clearly desperate to make more tangible progress.
Fischer said the Rockets reinforced that perception by indicating they might be willing to trade Green. By only executing a more marginal deal for Adams, however, they're leading rival teams to believe they're adopting a more moderate approach.
"So it seems more appropriate to categorize Houston as eager to be opportunistic when it comes to improving its roster, as opposed to shifting into a higher gear altogether," Fischer wrote.
Bridges would obviously be a significant upgrade on the wing over Green. While Green is making strides on defense, Bridges is a better shooter (37.5 percent on threes for his career) and a proven commodity in the playoffs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkzlBsv19yQ
The 27-year-old will hit free agency in 2026, though, and that wouldn't give Houston a lot of time to make the kind of leap that would warrant such a massive trade.
Green isn't going anywhere and the Rockets still have plenty of draft capital at their disposal. Seeing what this roster can achieve over a full season is a sensible strategy before they potentially take a big swing on a trade in the offseason.
Rockets, Grizzlies' Roster, Salary Cap After Steven Adams-Victor Oladipo Trade
Feb 2, 2024
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 7: Steven Adams #4 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a three point basket during open practice on October 7, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies swapped a pair of injured veterans in a trade on Thursday night.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Grizzlies sent center Steven Adams to the Rockets in exchange for shooting guard Victor Oladipo and three second-round draft picks. Neither player has appeared in a game so far this season.
Updated Rockets Roster
PG: Fred VanVleet, Aaron Holiday, Nate Williams
SG: Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Reggie Bullock Jr.
SF: Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Jae'Sean Tate
PF: Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Jeff Green
C: Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, Jock Landale, Boban Marjanovic
Updated Grizzlies Roster
PG: Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Derrick Rose, Scotty Pippen Jr.
SG: Luke Kennard, Victor Oladipo, John Konchar, Ziaire Williams
SF: Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson, Jake LaRavia
PF: Santi Aldama, David Roddy
C: Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman
By swapping Adams' $12.6 million salary for Oladipo's $9.5 million salary, the Grizzlies' total cap allocations dropped to $158.3 million this season, per Spotrac. The Rockets remain in good salary cap health, as adding Adams brought their total cap allocations to $146.4 million.
ESPN's Bobby Marks noted that Memphis also created a $3 million trade exception with the deal and he detailed how the trade improved the team's salary cap health by getting them well under the second luxury tax apron for the 2024-25 season:
Not including a likely lottery pick, Memphis had $186M in salary in 2024-25.
The projected second apron is $190M.
Removing the $12.6M owed to Steven Adams now gives Memphis financial breathing room.
The Grizzlies also have a decision with the $14.7M team option of Luke… https://t.co/UhlRdD9n31
The Grizzlies are in the midst of a lost season after star point guard Ja Morant missed the first 25 games due to a suspension and then had his return cut short by a season-ending shoulder injury.
Memphis will be in line for a high draft pick in the 2024 lottery, so the team will be looking to continue building around Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
The Rockets won't see Adams on the floor this season while he continues recovering from knee surgery, but his presence will be beneficial to the development of rising center Alperen Sengun, who is becoming one of the best offensive big men in the league.
Bringing in Adams, who has long been one of the best defenders and rebounders at the center position, will surely help round out Sengun's game.
The Rockets and Grizzlies are unlikely to see the postseason this year, so there's a chance both teams aren't done dealing before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
NBA Trade Rumors: Rockets Eyeing Andre Drummond, Kelly Olynyk, Clint Capela, More
Jan 31, 2024
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 30: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Toronto Raptors posts up against Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half against at the United Center on January 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets are in a position to fight for a playoff spot, making them obvious candidates to be buyers at the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline.
In regards to what they're looking for, Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Houston is "exploring the center market" with an eye on improving "rim protection," mentioning four names in particular.
"The Rockets, league sources said, are also exploring the center market, looking to bolster their rim protection. According to those sources, Houston is keeping tabs on Utah's Kelly Olynyk, Atlanta's Clint Capela, Chicago's Andre Drummond and Portland's Robert Williams III (who has fans throughout the current coaching staff) among others."
Houston already has a star-in-the-making in 21-year-old center Alperen Şengün, who is averaging 21.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. However, the team could use more depth down low behind Şengün as the team fights for the playoffs.
Currently, Houston is 22-24, good enough for 11th in the Western Conference and one half-game back of the Utah Jazz for the final play-in tournament spot.
The Rockets entered this season looking to compete after a 22-60 campaign the year before, adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks via free agency and hiring Ime Udoka as their next head coach. Houston has already matched its win total from last year with 36 games still remaining.
The team has been in a bit of a slump lately, though. After a 13-9 start, Houston has gone just 11-15 since. The Rockets have the talent to make the playoffs, but they could use some reinforcements.
Trading for frontcourt help is a good place to start.
Drummond has been fantastic in limited action this year for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.
Capela, who began his career in Houston, is averaging a double-double (11.4 PPG, 10.5 RPG) for an Atlanta Hawks team that's endured a disappointing 20-27 campaign.
Olynyk, another former Rocket, is a more well-rounded center who shoots 42.5 percent from three. He also averages 8.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Utah Jazz.
Williams, a center for the Portland Trail Blazers, is out for the 2023-24 season after undergoing right knee surgery to address a patellar dislocation. However, he'd be a good fit in Houston next year given his defensive prowess. Williams averaged 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds for Portland before his season ended in November.
Ultimately, Houston is a team to watch as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.
NBA Rumors: Rockets' Jalen Green Has Generated 'a Little Buzz' as Trade Candidate
Jan 30, 2024
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 27: Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets on January 27, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green has reportedly seen "a little buzz" as a potential target ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline.
ESPN's Zach Lowe reported Green is an "under-the-radar" name league executives have highlighted as potentially being made available in talks. It's worth noting that the Rockets aren't reported to be shopping Green, just that there is scuttlebutt around the NBA that he could find himself on the move if the right deal came along.
Green has seen his star dim during the 2023-24 season. His scoring average dipped to 18.2 points per game after he put up 22.1 a night a year ago, and he's shooting a career-low 41.0 percent from the floor. There has been almost no discernible improvement in Green's game in any facet since his promising rookie season.
Still just 21 years old, Green has plenty of potential to continue developing, but he's not ascended in the way the Rockets hoped. Of the top four players taken in the 2021 NBA draft, it's pretty easy to argue Green is the worst of the bunch. Cade Cunningham has been arguably the lone bright spot in a miserable Pistons season, while Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes have developed into two-way studs in Cleveland and Toronto, respectively.
If the Rockets have soured on Green's development, it might be smart to float his name out in trade talks while he still carries value. Teams that aren't doing their due diligence could look at his age and solid scoring prowess and hope the Rockets' developmental system is at fault rather than Green.
The continued mediocre play of Jabari Smith Jr. and the wildly disappointing rookie season of Amen Thompson could give credence to the theory Houston is more of an issue than the players. That said, this is the same organization that's developed Alperen Sengun into a stud, so it remains hard to tell where the line stops.
Dillon Brooks Blames Lakers' Vanderbilt for Ejection: 'He Took It a Little Too Far'
Jan 30, 2024
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers is ejected following a flagrant foul against Dillon Brooks #9 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on January 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Houston Rockets wing Dillon Brooks implied Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt deserved his ejection during the Rockets' 135-119 win over the Lakers on Monday.
Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Brooks pushed Vanderbilt in the back while he was airborne on a dunk attempt early in the second quarter. Vanderbilt responded by shoving Brooks in the chest with his forearm shortly thereafter, resulting in a technical foul being called.
Then, Vanderbilt poked Brooks in the side of the head with his finger, resulting in a second technical foul and an ejection. A Lakers player told McMenamin that Brooks called Vanderbilt a "p---y" during the scuffle.
After the game, Brooks told reporters: "I feel like he may feel like I did a dirty play. When he feels that way, he likes to bump. It's basketball. We bump and tussle. I feel like he took it a little too far."
Lakers superstar forward Anthony Davis took issue with Brooks' foul on Vanderbilt, saying it was "not a safe play."
During the fourth quarter, Brooks went over Lakers star LeBron James' back on a rebound attempt and struck James in the face. That, coupled with the earlier foul on Vanderbilt, didn't sit well with Lakers head coach Darvin Ham:
"Being competitive is one thing. But ... putting players at risk of injury with certain plays—I just watched it again [on video] before I came in here, [Brooks] pushes him in the back, a guy that's in the air. Airborne, defenseless. Then Bron's play, Bron goes to the basket and it's a double move with his arms. One arm trying to deflect the ball and it goes back and then it goes across [James'] face.
"So maybe Dillon Brooks shouldn't have been in the game, either."
Brooks, who signed a four-year, $86 million contract with the Rockets during the offseason after spending his first six NBA campaigns with the Memphis Grizzlies, recorded 17 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in Monday's victory.
The 28-year-old has gained the reputation of being an agitator throughout his NBA career, and he continued to thrive in that role Monday.
With the win, the Rockets improved to 22-24 and moved to within one game of the 24-24 Lakers for ninth place in the Western Conference.
The Rockets are a team on the rise thanks to their young talent and the arrival of veterans like Brooks and Fred VanVleet, as they have already won as many games as they won all of last season when they went 22-60.
Brooks is the type of player who helps teams win rough-and-tumble games, especially come playoff time, and even if his antics were borderline on Monday, they contributed to a hugely important Rockets victory, as it kept them in the playoff hunt.
Report: Rockets 'Committed to' Jalen Green Despite 'Awkward Sideways Glances'
Jan 21, 2024
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 13: Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets stands on the court during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 13, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets selected Jalen Green with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft, and they reportedly aren't ready to give up on him despite some buzz.
"There's no indication they'll look to make a major move with the starters despite a lot of awkward sideways glances in the direction of former 2nd overall pick Jalen Green," Matt Moore of Action Network reported. "The team remains committed to helping Green find his role on a better team."
Moore also noted the Rockets are looking for a center and cited one executive who "speculatively" suggested they could trade for Clint Capela of the Atlanta Hawks since he is familiar with Houston after playing there for the first six years of his career.
Perhaps playing with an impact center could help create more opportunities for Green.
He is averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, which is solid production. However, he is also shooting 39.8 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from deep and has struggled with efficiency at times.
This is his third season in the league but the first time he has a legitimate opportunity to reach the postseason.
Houston is 20-21 and tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament, so figuring out how the team is going to look around Green and whether that will include a trade for big man could determine its ultimate 2024 fate.
Rockets' Fred VanVleet Praises 'Unguardable' Alperen Şengün: Has 'a Thousand Moves'
Jan 19, 2024
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 10: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets shoots a free throw during the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 10, 2024 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
One of the biggest breakout stars of the 2023-24 season is Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün, whose performance has made a strong impression on Fred VanVleet.
The Rockets point guard told ESPN's Tim Bontemps that Şengün is an "unguardable" player who has "a thousand moves" to beat defenders.
"He's learning the higher aspects of the game now that he's going to be a featured guy and probably be an All-Star this year," VanVleet said. "He's going to keep learning the steps to [be one of] the greats, and what they got to deal with every night. But yeah, he's a problem."
Şengün was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who traded his rights to the Rockets for two future first-round picks. It's safe to say Houston is fine with the deal.
There were signs last season that Şengün had a lot of potential. He averaged 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in 75 appearances during the 2022-23 campaign, but the team's 22-60 record meant there weren't many people paying close attention to what was happening in Houston.
The Rockets decided to kickstart their rebuild by signing VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in free agency. While they haven't been great yet with a 19-21 record, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for their future.
Şengün is, by far, the biggest reason. The 21-year-old is averaging 21.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in 40 starts. He's already got 14 double-doubles this season after having 28 in 2022-23.
Even though the Rockets are two games under .500 entering Friday, they are on the fringes of a spot in the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. They are one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers (21-21) for the No. 10 seed.
If the Rockets can figure out their issues away from home, they will be very dangerous in the second half of the season. They are 15-6 at the Toyota Center, but just 4-15 on the road.
For a franchise that's lost at least 55 games in each of the previous three seasons, them being competitive for a play-in spot right now is a dramatic improvement.
