SAN ANTONIO — Before Tuesday’s game against the Spurs, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka confirmed that center Alperen Sengun will miss several weeks after being diagnosed with a grade 3 right ankle sprain, as well as a bone bruise in his knee.
The third-year big man was injured late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 112-104 victory at Sacramento. when he landed awkwardly after contesting a shot from Kings center Domantas Sabonis. From there, Sengun fell to the baseline in excruciating pain, and medical staff arrived with a wheelchair to take him back to the locker room.
“Some relief,” Udoka said when asked about the final diagnosis. “Obviously you hate to see him miss time in general, but the best news is he’s not broken, and no torn ligaments. Although he will be out for several weeks, overall it was good news.
Udoka also had the opportunity to speak with Sengun after he was diagnosed without a fracture.
“He was happy to hear this news,” Udoka told reporters Tuesday. “Not only was it a painful injury that looked serious, but he was probably just scared on the field at the time.”
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka provides an update on center Alperen Şengün’s medical status:
“He has a bad ankle sprain,” Udoka said. “This is a grade 3 ankle sprain. I’m not sure what that means in terms of timeline.#Rockets #Serge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/V6dV6LNlEW
– #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 12, 2024
Sengun had a great season, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 63 starts for Houston. Coach Udoka will have to reshuffle his starting lineup to fill the void left in the middle.
On Tuesday, he turned to sophomore forward Jabari Smith Jr., who often uses his offensive skills to lure bigger, more physical defenders out of the lane. He will also play with his back to the basket in different sets, which he has no problem with.
“The fact that I adjust the screen makes it difficult for them [opposing centers] change,” Smith told Rockets Wire before the game. “Just me with my speed. I feel like it’s harder for bigger people to protect me.
Smith’s versatility can also make him a threat on the defensive end. Ideally, this puts the Rockets in a situation where they will have faster players on the court to help prevent open 3-point shots, which they have struggled with at many points in the 2023-24 season.
