With eight straight wins and a 10-1 record in March, the Houston Rockets (35-35) are suddenly only two games behind the Golden State Warriors (36-33) for the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings, which represents the final berth in the West’s play-in tournament.
But as good as they look now, could they be even better once the tournament arrives in mid-April?
Houston’s incredible March began with Alperen Sengun in the starting lineup, but it has continued since the star center’s March 10 ankle injury thanks to Jalen Green taking his game to a higher level.
When Sengun went down, approximately one month prior to the April 14 end of the regular season, many assumed the Grade 3 ankle sprain would end Sengun’s 2023-24 campaign.
But sourced reports at the time did not rule out a potential return — and now, as the play-in race tightens, a return seems to still be in play.
Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, speaking on a recent podcast:
It’s within the realm of possibility that Sengun could return during the regular season. He avoided a major injury, but it’s a significant sprain. We kind of assumed he’d be done for the season because they wouldn’t have anything to place for.
I was told there’s a very real chance that it could come down to, late in the regular season, ‘Hey, does it make sense to bring him back?’ Obviously, the number one thing is going to be, ‘Is he cleared, medically?’ … They’re not going to bring him back if they’re not playing for something, but they’re putting themselves in a position to be playing for something.
The complete podcast can be listened to below.
Head coach Ime Udoka said Saturday that Sengun is doing treatment and rehab and had yet to advance to any on-court activity. As of now, the priority is still reducing the swelling in that ankle.
But, it’s worth noting Sengun is no longer in a walking boot and is walking without crutches or any other form of visible assistance.
Of course, going from walking to participating in NBA-level basketball is quite a leap. But, as the standings tighten, it seems that Sengun and the Rockets want to keep the option available.
For the 2023-24 season, Sengun leads the Rockets in scoring (21.1 points, 53.7% FG) and rebounding (9.3) on a per-game basis.
My favorite picture I took tonight at the Rockets gala.
Three genuinely great humans! @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/yOg75DG3ix
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) March 23, 2024
