The dunk didn’t count due to a controversial offensive foul call, but Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun turned heads with his vicious throwdown over Zach Collins in San Antonio.
In Thursday’s third quarter at AT&T Center, Sengun dribbled nearly the full length of the floor and dunked in transition over San Antonio’s veteran big man. But the bucket was wiped away by what the NBA’s game officials judged to be an offensive foul from Sengun’s left (non-dunking) arm.
Rockets head coach Stephen Silas challenged the call to no avail. The original call stood upon a replay review. Sengun, a 20-year-old big man out of Turkey who was drafted at No. 16 in the 2021 first round, clearly did not agree with the judgment.
You be the judge, and take a look at how fans, media members and even players on NBA Twitter reacted in real-time, including a response by Cleveland Cavaliers superstar Donovan Mitchell.
Sengun finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, though Collins and the Spurs emerged with the 118-109 victory. It’s a safe assumption Sengun believes he deserved 18 points, though, along with what would have (should have?) been a career highlight.
Alperen Sengun just tried to end Zach Collins (w/full bench reaction) pic.twitter.com/HQnLvcWx4i
— reezy (@reezySZN) December 9, 2022
Naaa Sengun just went crazy 😱
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 9, 2022
If that is a foul on Sengun then there has never been a legal poster dunk in the history of the NBA. FILTHY.
— Justin Jett (@JustinJett_) December 9, 2022
Zach Collins gotta retire after that, idk
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 9, 2022
THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE FILTHIEST POSTER I’VE EVER SEEN FROM A CENTER IN PERSON. OH MY GOODNESS SENGUN. https://t.co/MagdRFSqqJ
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 9, 2022
.@OfficialNBARefs is a disgrace to the sport. Not new. Fire everyone involved tonight. https://t.co/4vLH1Y3MPz
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 9, 2022
OH MY SENGUN 🤯🤯🤯
They really called an offensive foul… pic.twitter.com/0GvjvHmFto
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 9, 2022
This is a legit "Why do the officials hate Alperen Sengun?" moment. That gets called maybe once in every 1,000 chances
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 9, 2022
SENGUN, OMG 😱
This was ruled an offensive foul, but it was nasty. pic.twitter.com/8VnK94rwMm
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 9, 2022
OH MY GOD. ALPEREN SENGUN WITH DUNK OF THE YEAR.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) December 9, 2022
ALPEREN SENGUN JUST COMMITED MURDER
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 9, 2022
OMG SENGUN. Zach Collins was a good man. 🪦pic.twitter.com/SgzdRd3Diq
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) December 9, 2022
I can’t even focus on this game, I’m still stuck on that Sengun poster 😂😂😂
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) December 9, 2022
