Alperen Sengun dominated the game at center with his much more famous opponent, scoring a career-high 45 points on 19-for-32 shooting from the field, along with 16 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals, as the Houston Rockets shot down San Antonio Spurs 114-101.
His counterpart, Rookie of the Year candidate Victor Wembanyama, finished with just 10 points and 11 rebounds on 4-of-10 shooting, although he racked up 7 blocks but also had 6 turnovers.
The Rockets also got 23 points from Jalen Green, and although he was only 1 for 10, he was also 10 for 13 from two, and they also got 21 points, 10 assists and 4 steals from Fred VanVleet, who also shot 8 of 15 from the field and 5 of 9 from deep to help lead the charge against the Spurs. Cam Whitmore poured in 19 points off the bench and had a thunderous dunk off an assist from Alpie to help put the game away in the fourth after the Spurs closed in.
The Spurs were led by Devin Vassell, who finished with 22, and they also got 20 from Malaki Branham and 15 points and 8 rebounds from Jeremy Sochan.
Houston’s defense helped hold the Spurs to 43 percent shooting on the night, and although the Rockets couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with their triples, shooting just 9 for 34 on the night , it was Sengun’s big night that ensured the three-ball wasn’t necessary to win.
It’s becoming more and more obvious every day, even in terms of wins, that the Rockets will need to add some major shots this offseason, but in the meantime, let’s enjoy Aplie’s new career high. Oh, and the 16 rebounds were also a season high, so a dominant game all around for everyone’s favorite Turkish center.
