Strong points
- Alperen Sengun notched a historic triple-double that no center in NBA history has ever achieved.
- Sengun’s performance came a day after his career match against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
- Sengun made the comparison to two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, and that hype is growing.
Houston Rockets Alperen Sengun center continues to gain the upper hand NBA by the storm. Less than 24 hours later his career evening against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio SpursSengun has already managed to stand out with another historic performance.
Even if it is a defeat against the Los Angeles ClippersThe Rockets’ budding star recorded his second career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 14 assists while adding two steals to put his best foot forward. Nikola Jokic impression. But what’s impressive is that even Jokic hasn’t managed to put up those kinds of numbers in a match.
According to StatMuseSengun is the only center in NBA history to put up a stat line like that.
Sengun dropped a career-high 45 points along with 16 rebounds and five steals in their win over the Spurs on Tuesday night. The 21-year-old became only the third center this decade to record at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five steals in a game, joining the last two MVPs, Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid.
With his triple-double on Wednesday, however, Sengun is alone in the history books.
The Clippers overcame Sengun’s historic performance
Match planned in Los Angeles for the young Rockets star
After seeing Sengun reach his career high against San Antonio, the Clippers opted to send double teams at the Turkish big man. Sengun made them pay by consistently making the right play and, more often than not, locating the open man.
Unfortunately, his efforts weren’t enough to help Houston secure another victory on a night where Sengun was absolutely special. The Rockets built a 13-point halftime lead and appeared to be in cruise control for the majority of the game. But the Clippers put together a 42-point fourth quarter as Kawhi Leonard took over in the period to give Los Angeles its 40th victory, the seventh team to do so this season.
Sengun drew comparisons to Nikola Jokić
Rockets center is a future All-Star
It’s easy to see why Sengun was nicknamed “Baby Jokic”, as only Joker regularly puts up these kinds of gaudy numbers from the center position. The Nuggets are used to seeing their franchise superstar deliver insane triple-double performances with a healthy dose of boards and dimes like Sengun did on Wednesday night.
And at 21 years old, he is proving capable of having an impact on the game, not only with his scoring, but also with his playmaking and rebounding.
|
Nikola Jokic vs. Alperen Sengun – 3rd season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Categories |
Nikola Jokic |
Alperen Sengun |
|
Points |
18.5 |
21.3 |
|
Rebounds |
10.1 |
9.3 |
|
Aids |
6.1 |
4.8 |
|
FG% |
49.9% |
53.95 |
Although he only had two triple-doubles, Sengun showed off his passing skills throughout the season. Like Jokic, he has good game sense, which gives him the ability to direct traffic on offense. Likewise, he has excellent “foot work” as Shaquille O’Neal likes to say it, which makes him an elite job threat.
He showcased his repertoire against Wembanyama on Tuesday night and christened the Spurs rookie inside the paint with a variety of spin moves, pivot moves and nifty finishes around the basket.
Sengun has been nothing short of spectacular in his third NBA season, and he is starting to be recognized as one of the league’s best young stars. The Rockets have found a gem in the Turkish youngster, and his rise will certainly be fun to follow for many years to come.
Rockets’ Alperen Sengun joins MVP duo with rare NBA feat in career game
Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets had a career game with 45 points, 16 rebounds and 5 steals against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
