Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Alperen Sengun scores career-high 33 points as Rockets lose 11th straight to LeBron James, Lakers

With 11 straight losses and 16 in their last 17 games, overall, the young Houston Rockets are now tied for the NBA’s longest losing streak of the 2022-23 season after Monday’s 140-132 road setback (box score) against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Perennial All-Star forward and future Hall of Famer LeBron James led the Lakers (20-24) with a season-high 48 points on 16-of-26 shooting (61.5%), including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50%) and 11-of-12 on free throws (91.7%). James also had 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

But the Rockets (10-34) weren’t devoid of bright spots, starting with a career scoring night for second-year center Alperen Sengun.

Key offensive statistics for the Rockets, who collectively allowed a season-high point total for the 2022-23 year, included:

  • Alperen Sengun: Career-high 33 points, 14-of-17 shooting (82.4%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers; 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks in 37 minutes
  • Jalen Green: 23 points, 7-of-20 shooting (35%), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers (30%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75%); 5 rebounds, 3 assists in 39 minutes
  • KJ Martin: 17 points, 7-of-14 shooting (50%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%); 6 rebounds, 2 blocks in 30 minutes
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%); 4 rebounds, 4 assists in 28 minutes
  • Eric Gordon: 19 points, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 9-of-11 on free throws (81.8%); season-high 8 assists in 32 minutes
  • Tari Eason: 9 points, 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers; 7 rebounds in 20 minutes

Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. missed his third straight game with a left foot contusion, which he suffered last week in Sacramento.

Scroll on for Monday’s highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. With its four-game California road trip in the books, Houston returns to action on Wednesday for a home game versus Charlotte. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Highlights

Analysis and Interviews

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.