Alperen Sengun is in the midst of another big year for the Houston Rockets. The 6-foot-11 center has played 58 games so far this season, averaging 20.2 points on 50.3% shooting, 8.9 rebounds, a career-high 6.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.4 minutes per contest.
Thanks in part to Sengun’s strong play, the Rockets are, as of writing, third in the Western Conference with a 40-25 record. Things are heating up in the West, though. Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers are tied with the same record. Moreover, only 2.5 games separate the Rockets from the seventh-seeded Phoenix Suns.
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
The Rockets are back in action on Friday in a home matchup at Toyota Center. They will host the 22-45 New Orleans Pelicans in what will be Houston’s third game in four nights.
The Rockets have submitted their injury report for Friday’s contest, and Sengun has popped up on the same. Houston announced that the two-time All-Star is questionable to play against New Orleans due to lower back pain.
Sengun looked fine in the Rockets’ last game. He logged 16 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes on Sunday in a 145-120 loss to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
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Sengun’s injury does not seem serious. It is possible that the Rockets are giving their star big man the night off on Friday amid their busy stretch of games. If Sengun sits out, Clint Capela could be inserted into the starting lineup.
Should Sengun miss the Pelicans game, his next chance to play would be on Monday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Related: Rockets Announce Kevin Durant Injury Update Before Pacers Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.