By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Among several players of the Houston Rockets debuting in the NBA Playoffs, Alperen Sengun introduced himself with 26 points on Sunday.
The 22-year-old Turkish center tucked in 11/18 field goals, including a poster dunk on Draymond Green, as his side fell to the Golden State Warriors, 95-85, in Toyota Center. He pulled down nine rebounds, recorded three steals, and dished out one assist.
“It was a tough and physical game. It happens. We miss some that we make another day,” he commented on the Rockets being limited under 40% from the field in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series, “We’re not thinking about the shots we miss. I think those were all good-looking shots. We still have time to make those.”
🇹🇷 😤 Alperen Sengun POSTER on Draymond Green!!
pic.twitter.com/kz4N2melOF— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) April 21, 2025
Behind his eight points in the first quarter, the team coached by Ime Udoka built an early advantage. However, the Warriors bounced back and led by 23. Repelling a late comeback bid put them at 1-0 in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs presented by Google.
“I just wanted to win. I was just trying my best. I was in attack mode,” Sengun described his quick start during a postgame press conference following a postseason edition of NBA Sundays.
“I would say we were nervous a little bit,” he added, shifting to the overall approach, “When you start a game, you forget about that and just go out there and compete.”
Off the bench for Steve Kerr’s side, Dutch Quinten Post tallied one assist and one rebound but missed all of his three shots.
In Rocket Arena, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat, 121-100, and opened a 1-0 lead in the series. European action was limited to Erik Spoelstra’s side, Serbian Nikola Jovic and Swedish Pelle Larsson logging 83 seconds in the fourth quarter.
2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Conference Quarterfinals
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Miami Heat 1-0 (121-100)
Boston Celtics – Orlando Magic 1-0 (103-86)
New York Knicks – Detroit Pistons 1-0 (123-112)
Indiana Pacers – Milwaukee Bucks 1-0 (117-98)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Memphis Grizzlies 1-0 (131-80)
Houston Rockets – Golden State Warriors 0-1 (85-95)
Los Angeles Lakers – Minnesota Timberwolves 0-1 (95-117)
Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Clippers 1-0 (112-110)