Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka offered little clarity on the status of All-Star center Alperen Şengün after the 23-year-old exited early from Saturday night’s 110–104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks with a right ankle injury.
“No, not yet,” Udoka told reporters after the game when asked if he had an update on Şengün’s injury.
Those three words summed up the moment — uncertainty layered on top of a season that has increasingly revolved around the health and availability of Houston’s most important player.
Şengün left just over one minute into the first quarter with a lateral sprain of his right ankle and was ruled out for the remainder of the game before halftime.
How Alperen Şengün’s Injury Happened
Şengün was injured while grabbing a rebound in traffic, landing awkwardly and appearing to roll his ankle after coming down on the foot of Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. He immediately went down, clutching his right ankle.
Houston called a timeout with 10:56 remaining in the opening quarter so he could be helped to the locker room for evaluation. He did not return.
With Steven Adams sidelined for a second straight game because of a right ankle sprain, Houston was suddenly left with Clint Capela as its only true interior presence.
Capela entered the game in Şengün’s place with 10:56 left in the first quarter.
What Şengün’s Injury Means to the Rockets
Şengün, a first-time All-Star last season and a 2025 All-Star selection, entered Saturday averaging career highs across the board: 21.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks.
His impact is reflected clearly in Houston’s results.
The Rockets are 18–10 with Şengün in the lineup and 3–1 without him, but the latter number masks the stylistic and structural changes required when he is absent.
He is Houston’s leading scorer, best passing big, and the focal point of its half-court offense — the connective tissue between a young, athletic roster and a functional offensive identity.
He also won a silver medal with Turkey at EuroBasket 2025, highlighting his growing international stature.
Rockets’ Offense Stalls as Streak Ends
Houston saw its four-game winning streak snapped and struggled offensively throughout the night, shooting just 38.7% from the field, the team’s second-worst mark of the season.
While the Rockets dominated the offensive glass — winning 17–2 in offensive rebounds and 15–0 in second-chance points — their half-court execution again lagged.
The season-long absence of Fred VanVleet has magnified those issues, sidelined before opening night, leaving Houston without a true perimeter organizer.
Without VanVleet and now potentially without Şengün, Houston’s offense becomes far more dependent on isolation and transition.
Dallas Capitalizes on Houston’s Thin Frontcourt
The Mavericks took advantage.
Anthony Davis dominated inside with 26 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and five blocks, repeatedly exploiting Houston’s limited interior depth.
Max Christie, the league’s fourth-best three-point shooter by percentage, added 24 points on 4-of-6 shooting from deep, stretching Houston’s defense and opening driving lanes.
Dallas closed the game with steadier execution and superior shot quality.
A Difficult Stretch Ahead
The timing of Şengün’s injury is particularly challenging.
The Rockets will play three of their next four games on the road, a stretch that will test their depth, resilience, and offensive adaptability — especially if Şengün is unavailable.
Houston remains near the top of the Western Conference standings, but their margin for error is thin without its offensive fulcrum.
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