The Houston Rockets and Alpheren Sengun have formally entered a brand new period, one led by a mix of youth, size, and now, pure scoring greatness in Kevin Durant.
The staff’s blockbuster summer season commerce for the two-time Finals MVP instantly modified the outlook of the franchise, bringing one of many recreation’s all-time elite scorers to a younger, fast-rising core. For 23-year-old heart Alperen Sengun, who’s spent years making an attempt to gradual Durant down, it’s a welcome change.
“Now I understand how we have been fearful about guarding KD once we’re taking part in towards him,” Sengun informed ESPN’s Vanessa Richardson. “Now, we don’t have to fret about that [guarding KD]. Different groups have to fret about that. I’m simply gonna assist him as a lot as I can, and I’m certain he’ll assist all people.”
“Now, we don’t have to fret about that (guarding KD.) Different groups have to fret about that.”
-Alperen Sengun #AllFire 🚀 @HoustonRockets | @SportsVanessa pic.twitter.com/04MZmNEcP9
— Area Metropolis Dwelling Community (@SpaceCityHN) October 6, 2025
Durant, coming into his nineteenth NBA season, isn’t exhibiting indicators of decline after averaging 26.6 factors per recreation on an absurd 53-43-84 taking pictures cut up final yr with the Phoenix Suns. His arrival offers Houston the kind of offensive consistency head coach Ime Udoka has been craving.
“You’ve seen the numbers… and the factors that he averages, he sort of does that in his sleep,” Udoka stated. “Simply these two features alone will clearly enhance our consistency throughout the board.”
Durant has been equally impressed together with his new frontcourt associate, praising Sengun’s all-around means and creativity.
“I’ve performed with some bigs which might be nice at what they do… however I feel Alpi can just about perform a little little bit of all of that and extra,” Durant stated.
Sengun averaged 19.1 factors, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists final season, incomes his first All-Star nod, and adopted it up with a standout exhibiting at EuroBasket 2025, the place he led Turkey to a silver medal. His passing contact and footwork have made him one of many league’s most enjoyable younger bigs, and he’s desirous to see how Durant’s presence will open up Houston’s offense.
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