Sengun’s Stellar Double-Double Sparks Rockets to Victory: “We Know Now Who to Trust”

Alperen Sengun delivered an impressive performance with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Houston Rockets to a 110-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Toyota Center. Playing nearly 40 minutes on Monday, Sengun solidified the team’s lead by hitting a crucial shot with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter, finishing the game with 10 out of 22 field goal attempts, including an impressive 10 for 20 on two-point attempts. Additionally, he contributed six assists and one steal.

Reflecting on the team’s progress after their initial losses, the 23-year-old Turkish center noted, “We dropped two tight games at the start. We’ve figured out who we need to rely on offensively. We’re still in the learning phase and have ample time to grow as a new team, especially with KD joining us. Many things have shifted, and we need to work through these adjustments. It will continue to become easier for us.” This win brings the Rockets to a 4-2 record for the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, marking their fourth consecutive victory.

In a supporting role, Swiss player Clint Capela contributed four points, eight rebounds, and two blocks off the bench for the Rockets.

Across the court, British O.G. Anunoby recorded 16 points for the New York Knicks in their 119-102 triumph over the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Meanwhile, French player Guerschon Yabusele managed to play nearly 14 minutes but ended the night with just one point. His fellow French teammates, Mohamed Diawara and Pacome Dadiet, as well as German Ariel Hukporti, also failed to score, while British Tosan Evbuomwan did not play. Starting for the Wizards, French Alex Sarr made a notable contribution with 19 points, and both Swiss Kyshawn George and French Bilal Coulibaly scored 15 points each, while Serbian reserve Tristan Vukcevic added four points.

In a nail-biter at Intuit Dome, the Miami Heat narrowly defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 120-119. Italian player Simone Fontecchio contributed 11 points off the bench, while Swedish starter Pelle Larsson and Serbian reserve Nikola Jovic scored seven points each. However, Lithuanian Kasparas Jakucionis (right groin strain) and Russian Vladislav Goldin were sidelined. For the Clippers, Croatian Ivica Zubac uniquely combined nine points and 18 rebounds, but French Nicolas Batum was unable to score in his seven minutes, while Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic and Swiss Yanic Konan Niederhauser remained on the bench.

Additionally, the Minnesota Timberwolves triumphed over the Brooklyn Nets, 125-109, at Barclays Center, marked by a triple-double from Julius Randle. Italian Donte DiVincenzo added 25 points while wearing a face mask, and French Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. French player Joan Beringer took to the court for three minutes and secured one rebound. Under the guidance of Spanish coach Jordi Fernandez, Israeli Ben Saraf scored five points, and Russian Egor Demin added two, but Israeli Danny Wolf and French Nolan Traore did not contribute any points.

In a matchup at FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies, with Ja Morant returning from a one-game team suspension but admitting to lacking his usual enthusiasm, fell to the Detroit Pistons, 114-106. Spanish reserve Santi Aldama put up 15 points for the Grizzlies, who are coached by Finnish Tuomas Iisalo, while Swedish Bobi Klintman did not see any action for the Pistons.

Scores for the games included:
– Brooklyn Nets 109 – Minnesota Timberwolves 125
– Indiana Pacers 115 – Milwaukee Bucks 117
– Boston Celtics 103 – Utah Jazz 105
– New York Knicks 119 – Washington Wizards 102
– Houston Rockets 110 – Dallas Mavericks 102
– Memphis Grizzlies 106 – Detroit Pistons 114
– Denver Nuggets 130 – Sacramento Kings 124
– Portland Trail Blazers 115 – Los Angeles Lakers 123
– Los Angeles Clippers 119 – Miami Heat 120

Eastern Conference standings:
1. Philadelphia 76ers 5-1
2. Chicago Bulls 5-1
3. Milwaukee Bucks 5-2
4. Detroit Pistons 5-2
5. Miami Heat 4-3
6. New York Knicks 4-3
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3
8. Toronto Raptors 3-4
9. Atlanta Hawks 3-4
10. Orlando Magic 3-4
11. Charlotte Hornets 3-4
12. Boston Celtics 3-5
13. Indiana Pacers 1-6
14. Washington Wizards 1-6
15. Brooklyn Nets 0-7

Western Conference standings:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 7-0
2. San Antonio Spurs 5-1
3. Los Angeles Lakers 6-2
4. Denver Nuggets 4-2
5. Houston Rockets 4-2
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-3
7. Portland Trail Blazers 4-3
8. Golden State Warriors 4-3
9. Los Angeles Clippers 3-3
10. Phoenix Suns 3-4
11. Utah Jazz 3-4
12. Memphis Grizzlies 3-5
13. Sacramento Kings 2-5
14. Dallas Mavericks 2-5
15. New Orleans Pelicans 0-6

– The top six teams from each conference secure a spot in the Playoffs, while teams ranked seventh through tenth will compete in the Play-In tournament.

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