The Houston Rockets claimed a significant 112-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings during Sunday’s NBA action, even as they grappled with the potential loss of Alperen Sengun due to a knee and ankle injury. Fred VanVleet led the scoring with 22 points, while Jalen Green contributed 19 points, including a crucial late-game three-pointer.
Sengun’s injury cast a shadow over the win, with the player leaving the court in visible distress after an awkward landing. Rockets coach Ime Udoka shared post-game that Sengun was undergoing an X-ray, with further evaluation to follow. “It doesn’t diminish the win in general,” Udoka remarked. “I think it was one of our best road wins. He had a huge part in that.”
VanVleet, reflecting on the incident, highlighted the inevitable nature of injuries in the sport. “Injuries are part of the game,” he said. “We all understand that when we signed up, but it’s always tough to see your teammates go down, especially the young ones who haven’t really been through it before.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings Updates
The Rockets, with seven players scoring in double figures, are rallying towards a play-in tournament spot, now sitting 4 1/2 games back of the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
Despite a late surge from the Kings, cutting a 17-point deficit down to five, the Rockets held firm. Green’s late three-pointer, his first successful attempt from beyond the arc after five misses, played a crucial role in sealing the win. “I knew I was taking that one, because I missed (a prior attempt),” Green stated. “I wanted that one bad.”
The Rockets’ third-quarter performance, featuring a 13-0 run fueled by Sengun’s eight points and capitalized on the Kings’ turnovers, was pivotal in establishing a commanding lead.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings Updates
De’Aaron Fox, despite scoring 18 points, lamented missed opportunities. “If we make shots, it probably looks like a different game,” Fox noted. “I got a lot of opportunities that I usually make and they just didn’t go in.”
This season sweep over the Kings marks a turnaround for the Rockets, who had struggled against Sacramento in previous encounters. Meanwhile, the Kings’ loss drops them to seventh in the West, as Domantas Sabonis calls for a more physical approach akin to playoff competition.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings Updates
As both teams look ahead to their next games, the Rockets prepare to face San Antonio, while the Kings gear up to host Milwaukee, with both sides keen to solidify their standings in the Western Conference.
