After spraining his right ankle on Jan. 3, the Houston Rockets estimated that All-Star center Alperen Sengun would likely miss about two weeks.
Instead, he returned to the lineup within eight days.
In the four games that Sengun missed (including the initial Dallas game, where he left a minute in), Houston lost three of them. That’s a bitter pill to swallow for a team that hopes to contend for an NBA championship this season.
So, Sengun returned this week, and his 23 points (55.6% FG), 11 assists, and 7 rebounds were crucial in a victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. That win snapped what had been a three-game losing streak for the Rockets (23-14).
Prior to Thursday’s home matchup versus defending NBA champion Oklahoma City, Sengun admitted that he’s still not fully healthy. But the 23-year-old is focused on team success, and the Rockets are clearly better when their star big man is available.
Among his comments (via Space City Home Network):
Still not 100 percent. But when I’m out there, I don’t feel anything. I just feel the game, and try to win. Whatever it takes, I’ll go for it.
It’s not going to be 100 percent for a while. Twisting an ankle sucks. But I’m getting through it. I’ve played through (injuries) all my life, and I’m okay with it. My team is competing over there, and it’s a busy schedule right now. I can’t just sit around, if I don’t feel 100 percent, and watch them out there.
I’m just trying to get my treatment every day, working on my feet, and feel as strong as I can and go play.
Tipoff between the Rockets and Thunder (34-7) is at 6:30 p.m. Central on Thursday night, and the game will be televised to a national audience on Prime Video.
Houston enters with 12 wins in its last 13 home games at Toyota Center.
Tari Eason remains sidelined by his own right ankle sprain, which he suffered a few days after Sengun’s injury. Josh Okogie has started in Eason’s place during recent games.
Sengun, Eason, and Steven Adams all suffered right ankle sprains during the previous two-and-a-half weeks, which isn’t optimal timing for this week’s home back-to-back versus the Thunder and Timberwolves — with the latter visiting Houston on Friday night.
Head coach Ime Udoka hasn’t yet said who he expects to be available against Minnesota (27-14), who Houston is attempting to chase down in the tightly packed Western Conference standings.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: With Rockets needing wins, Alperen Sengun battles through ankle injury
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
