Rockets' Alperen Sengun Misses Game Amid Back Pain HOUSTON — Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ All-Star center, remained sidelined with low back pain for their home matchup against the Lakers, marking the second consecutive game he has missed under this designation. While he participated in Monday’s shootaround, Sengun was not in the lineup as the team continued without him. The Rockets had previously defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday while Sengun was out, and the absence of the Turkish big man continues to impact their roster depth. The Rockets-Lakers game holds significant implications for the Western Conference playoff race, as both teams entered the matchup tied in the loss column (42-25 for the Lakers and 41-25 for the Rockets). The two teams are among the West’s teams with the fewest losses, highlighting the tight competition in the conference. Sengun’s absence adds pressure to the Rockets’ depth, as they rely on their remaining players to fill the void left by his injury. Despite his absence, Sengun has been a key contributor this season, averaging 20.2 points (50.3% FG), 8.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. His statistical performance has been a bright spot for the Rockets, but concerns have emerged about his defensive play compared to last season. Tracking data suggests his defensive contributions have declined, and some analysts speculate that physical ailments, including his back pain, may be a factor. The Rockets are reportedly giving Sengun time off to address these issues and potentially return to full form. Head coach Ime Udoka opted to start backup center Clint Capela in Sengun’s absence, pairing him with the usual quartet of Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason.#rockets #deandre_ayton #alperen_sengun #clint_capela #tari_eason
