HOUSTON — Rockets fans might not have seen the player they expected in Monday’s 2025-26 preseason opener, but they were still treated to a performance by a 2025 NBA All-Star during a 122-113 win (box score) over the Atlanta Hawks.

Sadly, they will have to wait two more days before they can see superstar forward Kevin Durant take the Toyota Center court. His Rockets debut will come in Wednesday’s exhibition versus Utah.

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Dressed in street clothes on the bench, Durant watched fellow All-Star Alperen Sengun take control in Monday’s first half. In only 17 minutes, Sengun scored a game-high 19 points, along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks. He made both of his 3-point attempts and all seven of his free throws, and the Rockets were +18 in his minutes.

When he couldn’t post up in the paint and use his signature spin moves and pump fakes, he created scoring opportunities for his teammates by drawing the attention of multiple defenders. That facilitating ability allowed players like forward Jabari Smith Jr. to take full advantage.

Smith, who has worked consistently with Durant in recent weeks, utilized some new wrinkles in his game to help alleviate some of the defensive pressure on Sengun.

“I think it will help a lot,” Smith said. “I feel like I have improved my jumper and ironed out some things in my jumper. Me being able to attack closeouts and get in the lane, bring under control there will definitely help.

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“Just being able to come off of ball screens and hitting Alpi (Sengun) in the pocket and him making plays. I think it will help tremendously. I feel like I have improved so much, and he has improved so much; we are growing together.”

Sengun’s maturation process was boosted by his summer stint playing in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament, where he helped Turkey go 8-1 while earning a second-place finish. He was named to the all-tournament team.

“That helped a lot,” Sengun told reporters. “I kind of had a small season this summer, and I didn’t get that much of a break after the national team, which is good for me. I just came back over here and stayed in shape still and stayed ready for the season.”

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Sengun, 23, came into camp determined to build on last year’s All-Star season. During that run, he also helped the Rockets secure the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings (at 52-30) while earning a playoff spot for the first time since 2020.

“I just feel stronger,” Sengun said. “My age is getting high now and I feel my bones and everything. I feel stronger and I don’t know, I will say faster. I will always feel faster with the ball. Off the ball, you know what it is.”

More: Rockets star Alperen Sengun earns All-EuroBasket honors as Germany edges Turkey in final

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Stronger’ Alperen Sengun dominates, Rockets win exhibition over Hawks