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Adhering to team protocols, the Houston Rockets and Alperen Sengun turned their attention to the NBA Preseason 2025 on Monday, securing a victory against the Atlanta Hawks at the Toyota Center.
The 23-year-old Turkish center played for just over 17 minutes, contributing a game-high 19 points with an impressive 5-for-9 shooting from the field, which included hitting all his three-point attempts at 2-for-2. Additionally, he showcased his playmaking skills with six assists, while also collecting five rebounds and registering two blocks.
When asked if his time with the Turkish senior national team during EuroBasket 2025 aided his preparations for the upcoming 2025-26 Regular Season, he replied with confidence, “Of course.”
“I had a brief season this summer, and I didn’t take much time off after playing with the national team, which is beneficial for me. I returned here still in good shape and ready for the season,” he explained.
During his time in Riga from August 27 to September 14, Sengun averaged 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game, leading to a silver medal and a place in the All-Star Five.
“I definitely feel stronger. I don’t know, I think I feel quicker. I always have that feeling of being faster, whether with the ball or without it,” he remarked about the influence of his recent experiences at the FIBA tournament.
The Rockets will remain in Houston for their second exhibition game, as head coach Ime Udoka’s squad is set to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Kevin Durant is expected to join his new teammates on the court after sitting out the first preseason match.
Following two additional exhibition games, the Rockets will kick off the Regular Season against the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, at Paycom Center on October 21.
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