By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A major injury was not the case but Alperen Sengun is still doubtful to return to action in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season.
He was diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprain in his right ankle, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Set to miss several weeks, the update on his health status hampered any hopes for a comeback down the stretch of the 82-game schedule for the Houston Rockets. And a 29-35 W-L tally sitting five games away from the Play-In zone of the Western Conference, postseason action for the team coached by Ime Udoka is equally unlikely.
Sengun, 21, was injured against the Sacramento Kings in Golden 1 Center on the latest edition of NBA Sundays.
“Sources tell me Alperen Sengun has suffered a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, he will miss several weeks… tremendous sigh of relief, but this likely ends his regular season.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania on the Rockets young superstar. pic.twitter.com/CBYT8UiWiD
— Stadium (@Stadium) March 12, 2024
Averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals marked career-highs. Shooting 53.7% from the field and looking more confident from beyond the arc added to improvements over 63 appearances. However, an early ending to a brilliant campaign for the promising youngster, a regular for Turkiye across numerous international tournaments through recent summers.
After being named the most valuable player of the Basketbol Super Ligi in 2021, the native of Giresun was picked up by the Rockets as the 16th overall pick of the NBA draft. Carrying plenty of professional experience, beyond the domestic league of Turkiye to continental club competitions, including the Basketball Champions League, he paid his dues until emerging as a starting center in the NBA en route to a breakout campaign halted by injury.