The young Houston Rockets finally have momentum after back-to-back home victories over the weekend versus Atlanta and Oklahoma City. But the challenge gets much greater in the coming days courtesy of a four-game road trip against Western Conference contenders, with stops in Denver (twice), Phoenix, and Golden State.
With 21 points, a career-high 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, 20-year-old center Alperen Sengun was a beast in Saturday’s big win over the Thunder. For the second-year Rockets prospect, those numbers reminded many of the early days in Denver for Nikola Jokic, now the NBA’s back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Starting Monday, Sengun gets two straight games to show how he holds up against the gold standard of physical playmakers among centers — and someone he considers an idol, as well.
“I have two idols in the NBA right now, one is (Joel) Embiid and one Jokic,” Sengun said after Jokic was named 2021-22 MVP in May. “I am so happy for him, and he deserved it.”