Alperen Sengun returns, but Rockets fall to Kings on the road
In the first matchup of a two-game set in Sacramento, the Houston Rockets grabbed an early lead but couldn’t retake the lead after a huge second quarter swing against the Kings.
With Alperen Sengun back in the rotation for the first time in two weeks, the Rockets won the first quarter 40-31, but were outscored 34-20 in the second to go into halftime trailing by five.
The Rockets cut the deficit to just two midway through the third, but a Marvin Bagley III tip and a Terence Davis three quickly restored the gap for the Kings, who would go on to win 126-114.
Christian Wood led the Rockets with 26 points and eight rebounds, and all five Rockets starters scored in double figures. Sengun scored nine points in 14 minutes off the bench, including a saucy hook over Alex Len.
Here are the highlights and reaction from Friday’s game:
A message from @alperennsengun. 😁 pic.twitter.com/YGUJM7OmkI
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 15, 2022
TOO MUCH SAUCE SENGUN 😮💨
He's officially back. pic.twitter.com/VtLIafURxb
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 15, 2022
𝑺𝑳𝑨𝑴.
15 PTS in 7 minutes for the big man 👏 pic.twitter.com/wNY3k4fcC2
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 15, 2022
I know his shot isn’t falling, but Jalen Green has been terrific playing in transition, especially when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. Putting a lot of pressure on the defense by sprinting the sidelines on the fastbreak, always looking to cut or act as a safety valve.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 15, 2022
signature Sengun spin 🌪 pic.twitter.com/0uZjrIWlEl
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 15, 2022
Excellent game from Jae’Sean Tate
Very good game from Wood but Silas should’ve kept him in
Gradually better games from KPJ lately. Great sign
JG looked like young Jordan Clarkson tonight. Hope he bounces back soon
EG is stone cold
Alperen Sengun is dynamite. Instant offense
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 15, 2022
Interesting stuff from Silas on Sengun’s first game back. Said that his teammates were not moving without the ball as before his injury when he has the ball at the top of the key, going from action to action. Also, Silas said Sengun was popping more than rolling today.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 15, 2022
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