Alperen Şengün will not play against Mavs

Şengün missed Wednesday’s game against Milwaukee, and head coach Ime Udoka opted to start Tari Eason, with Jabari Smith Jr. playing the small-ball center role. Clint Capela played extra minutes off the bench as well. Şengün’s return would push Eason back to the bench.

The big man is dealing with lower back soreness, and with Steven Adams also out, Clint Capela could draw the start at center, with Jabari Smith Jr. playing the five in small ball lineups.

Şengün has been fantastic to start the year, and this was one of his best performances. He fell just shy of a triple-double, but it was the steals that made this performance special. He set a new career high for swipes, which helped offset the turnovers. Şengün has taken a leap forward, and if he continues to produce to this level, the Rockets will continue their winning ways. Next up on the schedule is a trip to Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Şengün was the player of the game in the win over the Spurs Friday. He played excellent defense, had a 29/7/7 line and had clutch baskets down the stretch. Considering he was going up against Victor Wembanyama for most of the game, it doesn’t get much better than this for Şengün. He’s off to a great start to the season after a down-year for him last season.

Şengün didn’t record any blocks or steals in this one, but he was +23 in 29 minutes as the Rockets won by 18. The 24-year-old center had a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. He also made both of his three-point attempts. After what was considered a down year for him last year, Şengün got off to a good start this season.

Şengün played 24 minutes and filled up the stat sheet in the 116-89 victory over the Thunder, though he missed both of his three-point attempts. The 24-year-old center is coming off a down year by his standards, but is still an early second-round pick in most fantasy drafts this year.

After going off for 33 points in Game 3, Şengün scored 19 points or less in each of the final three games of the series. While the Rockets got away with that in Games 4 and 5, that was not the case in Game 6. Only having Kevin Durant for one game certainly didn’t help matters, nor did Houston’s failure to address the point guard position in Fred VanVleet’s absence. Şengün did not provide the second-round value that many fantasy managers expected before the season began, but he was not far off in eight-cat formats. He won’t last long on draft boards next fall, even with a healthy Durant and VanVleet in the starting lineup.

Şengün and the Rockets have staved off elimination twice, most recently limiting the Lakers to 93 points in Game 5. He was not as productive scoring-wise on Wednesday, but the Rockets’ center finished with solid numbers in the rebound, assist and steal categories. That said, Şengün must be better on the glass in Game 6, even if he isn’t the Rockets player corralling every available rebound. Lakers center Deandre Ayton grabbed ten offensive rebounds in Game 5, with that production being one reason why the Lakers had a chance to win the game late.

Şengün was one of five Rockets starters to finish the Game 4 victory in double figures, and he’s scored at least 19 points in all four games. The Rockets’ center was not as productive as he was in Game 3, but Şengün’s receiving help from multiple teammates factored into Houston’s ability to extend the series to Game 5. Over the last two games, he has shot a combined 21-of-39 from the field, totaling 52 points, while also accounting for 22 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocked shots.

With their season on the line, the Rockets will go into Game 4 without their leading scorer. Despite around-the-clock treatment, the veteran wing has not been cleared to play through an injury that would likely sideline him for multiple weeks during the regular season. Reed Sheppard is in line to make another start, and the Rockets will need increased offensive production from Alperen Şengün.