As a talented European big man, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun has drawn a few wishful comparisons during his first two NBA seasons to back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets. After his rookie season, Sengun referred to Denver’s big man as an idol.
For at least one night, though, the student became the teacher. In Tuesday’s shocking blowout win against the first-place Nuggets, the 20-year-old Turkish prospect had 20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals on 7-of-14 shooting (50.0% FG).
Meanwhile, Jokic (14 points, 10 rebounds) was forced into eight turnovers in 25 minutes as the Rockets (20-60) pulled away late for a feel-good victory over the Nuggets (53-26). It was Houston’s final home game of the 2022-23 season.
“I thought Alpi had the best defensive game of his career tonight,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said postgame of Sengun. “He did an amazing job. I was proud of him.”
“I just need to be focused,” Sengun told AT&T SportsNet Southwest’s Vanessa Richardson of his defense. “I understand that when I want to do defense, really hard, I can be good. It’s going to be a big year, next year. I’m going to do my best all the time.”
Scroll on for further highlights, interviews, and analysis.
Alperen Sengun takeaways versus Denver
#Rockets WIN !!!!!!
Alperen Sengun vs DEN
🏀20 PTS🏀10 REB🏀7 AST🏀3 STL🏀@alperennsengun talked with our @SportsVanessa after the @HoustonRockets 124-103 win over the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/trSRcyttt4— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) April 5, 2023
#Rockets highlight of the night courtesy of Alperen Sengun & Jabari Smith Jr@alperennsengun 20 PTS / 10 REB / 7 AST@jabarismithjr 16 PTS / 13 REB@HoustonRockets BEAT DENVER 124-103 pic.twitter.com/Ko7mMoJSS4
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun vs Nikola Jokic tonight:
Sengun:
20 PTS – 10 REB – 7 AST – 50% FGNikola Jokic
14 PTS – 10 REB – 8 TOV – -21Rockets win by 21 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZDtKUteeP9
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun (20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) had a big game versus back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic as the #Rockets crushed top-seeded Denver.
Stephen Silas: “I thought Alpi had the best defensive game of his career tonight. He did an amazing job. I was proud of him.” pic.twitter.com/0jQoHGfiNH
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun just keeps making history.
He has more games than any other player in NBA history, 20 years old or younger with 15+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ assists! pic.twitter.com/qFwqztvmAb
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun's defense on Jokic tonight has moved me.
His effort has varied this season, but as multiple stretches across his career would tell you, he's not a terrible defender when he doesn't want to be. He's also been misused defensively this year
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun is a bully. This isn’t even fair. 😂 pic.twitter.com/sZ741h0th4
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) April 5, 2023
Alperen Sengun vs Denver Nuggets
20 PTS
10 REB
7 AST
3 STL
1 BLK
7/14 FG
2/4 3P
+15 in 37 minutes.#Rockets W.#NBA pic.twitter.com/q01Tp9VVGr— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) April 5, 2023
alperen sengun tonight:
20 points
10 rebounds (4 offensive)
7 assists
3 steals
1 block
50% FG (7-14)
50% 3P (2-4)outplayed his idol nikola jokic tonight pic.twitter.com/tNOX5dUEYS
— jeff (@retrojeffhoops) April 5, 2023
Imagine Alperen Sengun shooting threes. 😂
How do you defend a guy that demands a double team in the post and is also a major threat from the outside?
Alpi attacking closeouts is going to be ridiculous because we already know what he can do off the dribble scoring and passing.
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) April 4, 2023
Alpi was all over the court tonight!
20 PTS | 10 REB | 7 AST | 3 STL@CreditKarma l #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/QqoR5CLahG
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 5, 2023
