The Rockets’ offense has taken a clear step forward this season, and the biggest reason may not be the point guard running the show. Fred VanVleet still matters plenty as the steady hand, but Alperen Sengun has become the real engine of Houston’s passing game.
Sengun is averaging 7.8 assists per game, which puts him ahead of VanVleet’s 6.8 and, more importantly, reflects how much of the offense now runs through the center. He’s not just scoring at a high level - he’s making life easier for everyone around him.
That has shown up in a big way over the last three games, when Sengun has delivered at least 9 assists in each one. On Monday night, he finished with 10 assists in a comfortable win over the Celtics, and the highlights fit the trend. He dropped a slick backdoor bounce pass to Kevin Durant for a dunk, then later found Amen Thompson with a no-look feed for another dunk while under pressure.
For Houston, that kind of playmaking changes the shape of the offense. Centers usually create a pause in the action.
With Sengun, the Rockets can keep moving. He’s consistently finding cutters and making teams pay when he catches the ball in the post or near the top of the key.
VanVleet’s role is different, but still important. He’s operating as the game manager, keeping the system organized and limiting mistakes.
He’s averaging just 1 turnover per game, while Sengun is at 3.2. VanVleet isn’t trying to force the same kind of plays; many of his assists come within the flow of the offense rather than from him creating the opening himself.
That approach has helped Houston stay on track, especially with the offense ranked 2nd in the league. The two games Sengun missed didn’t look the same, but VanVleet has still done his part to keep things moving. At this point, that’s exactly what Houston needs from him.
What the Rockets need even more is for Sengun to keep doing what he’s doing. He’s not just passing well for a center. He’s passing like the team’s offensive star.
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