Alperen Şengün’s ability to recover from injury is keeping the Rockets’ playoff hopes alive.
Highlights
- The severity of Şengün’s March 2024 injury was initially feared to be career-threatening when he was wheeled off the court, unable to walk.
- The Rockets initially performed well without him, posting a 9-3 record before eventually losing momentum in their push for a Play-In tournament spot.
- Şengün bounced back from multiple injury setbacks, including a left calf contusion in January and recurring back problems in February and March.
Alperen Şengün’s journey to the NBA began in Giresun, Turkey, where he was born on July 25, 2002.
Though his parents initially wanted him to pursue swimming, Şengün was drawn to basketball after watching his older brother play.
By age eight, he was already honing his skills on the court, eventually choosing basketball over swimming due to time constraints.
Şengün’s professional career began in Turkey, where he played for Bandırma Kırmızı in the Turkish First League during the 2018-19 season.
His talent quickly became evident as he averaged 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
After a season with Teksüt Bandırma, Şengün joined Beşiktaş in August 2020, where he truly began to shine.
His exceptional performance earned him the MVP award of the Turkish Basketball Super League’s regular season in May 2021, prompting his decision to enter the 2021 NBA draft.
Selected as the 16th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Şengün was immediately traded to the Houston Rockets.
His rookie season showcased his potential, as he averaged 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
Despite primarily coming off the bench, Şengün’s footwork and playmaking abilities were already turning heads.
The 2022-23 season saw Şengün take on a more prominent role with the Rockets, where he continued to break records.
He became the youngest player in Rockets history to record a triple-double and the youngest center in NBA history to achieve multiple triple-doubles.
His sophomore season statistics jumped to 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, earning praise from NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Paul George.
Şengün’s breakthrough came during the 2023-24 season. By November 2023, he had become the youngest center in NBA history to reach 500 assists.
His stellar performance continued throughout the season, highlighted by a career-high 45 points against the San Antonio Spurs in March 2024.
This record-breaking performance made him the highest-scoring Turkish player in NBA history, surpassing Mehmet Okur’s previous record of 43 points.
The 2024-25 season marked another milestone in Şengün’s career as he agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract extension with the Rockets in October 2024.
Despite a slow start to the season, he quickly found his rhythm, recording back-to-back triple-doubles against the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls.
In January 2025, Şengün reached another historic milestone, becoming the youngest center in NBA history to record 1,000 career assists.
His consistent excellence was rewarded with his first NBA All-Star selection on January 30, 2025, cementing his status as one of the league’s elite players.
Şengün’s Unfortunate Injury And The Rockets’ Playoff Hopes
Şengün’s rise to stardom hasn’t been without obstacles. On March 10, 2024, during a game against the Sacramento Kings, Şengün suffered a significant injury that would temporarily derail his breakout season.
The incident occurred with just 39.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, with the Rockets leading by eight points.
Şengün collided with Kings center Domantas Sabonis while attempting to contest a transition layup.
The aftermath was immediate and concerning. Şengün fell to the ground, grabbing his right knee in visible pain.
Unable to walk under his own power, he was forced to leave the court in a wheelchair, receiving supportive ovations from fans at the Golden 1 Center.
The sight of such a promising young talent being wheeled off the court sent shockwaves through the basketball community.
Initial fears suggested a potentially season-ending injury involving his knee ligaments.
However, subsequent medical evaluations provided some relief.
X-rays taken after the game and an MRI performed the following day revealed a Grade 3 sprain in his right ankle and a bone bruise in his right knee.
Fortunately, no surgery was required, and there was no major structural damage to his knee.
A Grade 3 ankle sprain is considered severe. It likely involves a complete tear of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and possibly the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), with potential partial damage to the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL).
Despite the severity of the sprain, the absence of a fracture was positive news for Şengün and the Rockets.
The timing of the injury was miserable, as Şengün had been enjoying a career-best season.
Alperen Sengun was taken off the court in a wheelchair after an apparent leg injury 💔
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) March 11, 2024
🎥@BleacherReportpic.twitter.com/ItHm8D9WcO
Prior to the injury, he was averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game across 63 games, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Rockets’ franchise.
His performance had placed him among elite company, as one of only five players in the league with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 300 assists that season.
The impact of Şengün’s absence was immediately felt by the Rockets, who were five games out of the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference at the time of his injury.
Though the team initially managed a 9-3 record without their star center, they eventually lost momentum as the season progressed.
In early April 2024, Şengün addressed the media about his injury, expressing relief that it wasn’t as severe as initially feared.
He admitted to initially being concerned about a knee injury but was grateful that it was “just” his ankle.
At that point, he estimated his recovery at around 60%, focusing on rebuilding strength in his ankle.
The 2024-25 season has presented additional challenges for Şengün.
In late January 2025, he missed his first game of the season due to a left calf contusion.
Despite being listed as questionable for several games, he returned to action in February, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
More recently, Şengün has been dealing with back issues.
On February 9, 2025, he exited a game against the Toronto Raptors after just three minutes due to lower back spasms.
Coach Ime Udoka described the condition as “just spasms” and expressed hope for a quick recovery.
These back problems resurfaced on March 3, 2025, when Şengün was ruled out of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to lower back soreness.
Alperen Sengun (back) listed out Monday.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) March 4, 2025
Despite these setbacks, Şengün has continued to perform at a high level when healthy.
After missing the March 10 game against the Thunder due to back issues, he returned to score 25 points against the Indiana Pacers on March 11, 2025, suggesting a quick recovery from his most recent injury.
As of March 18, 2025, Şengün appears to be active and contributing to the Rockets’ playoff push.
His ability to bounce back from injuries has been a testament to his determination and the quality of medical care he has received.
The Rockets, currently ranked 2nd in the Western Conference, will be hoping that Şengün can remain healthy as they aim for a deep playoff run.
At 22, Alperen Şengün has already established himself as one of the NBA’s premier centers.
His combination of scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and exceptional passing skills has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s all-time greats.
While injuries have presented temporary obstacles, Şengün’s youth, talent, and resilience suggest that his best days are still ahead of him.
As the Rockets continue their ascent in the Western Conference, the health and performance of their young star center will be crucial to their success.
For now, basketball fans worldwide can only hope that Şengün’s injury troubles are behind him, allowing this extraordinary talent to continue dazzling audiences with his unique blend of skills and basketball intelligence.
Additional Information
- Before fully committing to basketball, Şengün simultaneously competed in swimming and basketball during his youth but eventually chose basketball due to the practical challenges of training for both sports at a high level.
- After his remarkable performance with Beşiktaş in the 2020-21 season, Şengün was initially drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder but was immediately traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for two future first-round draft picks.
- When Şengün recorded his first 20-20 game of his career on February 4, 2025, he tallied 24 points and 20 rebounds in a narrow 99-97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
