NBA: Alperen Sengun sidelined again as Rockets host trending Suns

The Houston Rockets finally appeared to be on the road to full health and building momentum in the competitive Western Conference, thanks to a roster strengthened by the return of two key wing players.

Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith expanded the Rockets’ rotation and contributed to a four-game winning streak that helped erase the memory of a challenging holiday road trip.

However, after playing two games without All-Star center Alperen Sengun, the Rockets lost him again in a 110-104 road defeat to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday due to a right ankle sprain.

The Rockets will host the Phoenix Suns on Monday shorthanded once more. Sengun had already missed four games due to illness and calf soreness before leaving the Dallas game just 64 seconds in. Despite Kevin Durant scoring a game-high 34 points with seven assists and helping Houston build an early 11-point lead, the team struggled with Sengun sidelined.

"It's always an adjustment for a team when one of the main players goes out during action like that," Durant said. "We prepared for the Mavericks with Alpy in the lineup. Everything we did was preparing with our center in the lineup. For him to be taken out of the game with a tough injury, it's tough for us, but I like how we were all pros. We were able to turn the tide and get some momentum for ourselves regardless.

"We're hoping he has a speedy recovery, but in the meantime, we'll have to pick up the slack for him and hold it down for him."

Veteran Steven Adams had filled in for Sengun but recently suffered an ankle injury against the Indiana Pacers, causing him to miss both games of the quick road trip through Brooklyn and Dallas. While the Rockets have had success mixing and matching lineups thanks to their depth, their rotation will face a significant challenge with both Sengun and Adams unavailable.

Sengun is listed as out for Monday’s game, while Adams is questionable on the injury report. The sooner one or both return, the faster the Rockets can get back on track to challenge the top contenders in the West.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been on a strong run, winning six of their last seven games. On Sunday, they rallied past the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 108-105, snapping an eight-game losing streak in the series. Devin Booker hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds remaining, capping an 18-point comeback.

Without Jalen Green (hamstring) and Grayson Allen (knee), the Suns have relied on a balanced scoring approach. Booker leads the offense, but Phoenix has also benefited from Dillon Brooks’ career-best 21.4 points per game, along with double-digit contributions from Collin Gillespie, Mark Williams, and Royce O’Neale.

Against the Thunder, Jordan Goodwin scored a career-high 26 points and made eight 3-pointers, also a career best. If there’s a surprise team in the West this season, it might just be the Suns.

"We're solid," Goodwin said. "We already know that we can compete with anybody in this league. We've just got to go out there and prove it every night. As far as confidence, we're confident every time we hit the floor."

—Field Level Media/Reuters