Alperen Sengun walked off the court Monday night with a stat line that turned heads-33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists-but the scoreboard told a different story. The Houston Rockets dropped a tough one in overtime, 128-125 to the Denver Nuggets.
And while the loss stings, for Sengun, this wasn’t just another game-it was a measuring stick. A chance to go toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic, the reigning standard at the center position and the man behind Sengun’s “Baby Joker” nickname.
Sengun didn’t shy away from the moment. In fact, he leaned into it.
He admitted this matchup meant a little more, especially after feeling unsatisfied with his last outing against Jokic. That motivation was clear from the opening tip.
He came out locked in, determined to hold his own against the two-time MVP, and the result was one of his most complete performances of the season.
The duel between Sengun and Jokic was as physical as advertised. Jokic, alongside Jamal Murray, kept Houston’s defense honest all night, forcing the Rockets to walk a fine line between aggression and discipline.
Sengun acknowledged just how tough that balance is when you’re facing elite offensive talent like Jokic-someone who can beat you from the post, the perimeter, or as a facilitator. And when you add in Denver’s off-ball movement and the way they force switches, it’s a constant chess match.
Still, there were flashes of growth from the Rockets, especially on the defensive end. Sengun pointed out one play in particular-Jabari Smith Jr.’s weak-side block on Jokic at the rim-as a turning point.
It wasn’t just a highlight; it was a response. A sign that this young Houston team is starting to recognize and react to the moments that matter.
Sengun also gave credit to Kevin Durant’s help defense, underlining that this wasn’t about one-on-one matchups-it was about team commitment.
Of course, the “Baby Joker” label came up, as it often does when Sengun shares the floor with Jokic. But Sengun made it clear: while the comparison doesn’t bother him, he’s not trying to be a carbon copy.
“I’m on my own journey,” he said, and it’s hard to argue with that. He’s leading a young Rockets squad trying to find its identity, and performances like this one show he’s not just along for the ride-he’s steering the ship.
What stood out most wasn’t just the numbers-though a triple-double against Jokic is no small feat-it was how Sengun played. Confident, composed, and aggressive without forcing the issue.
He operated like a player who understands the game is about more than just scoring. His passing out of the post, his reads in transition, his willingness to absorb contact and still make the right play-all of it pointed to a player who’s evolving in real time.
But for all the positives, the Rockets are still learning how to finish. Overtime exposed the fine margins that separate the league’s elite from the teams still figuring it out. Sengun knows that, and he knows that matching Denver’s physicality-especially against a player like Jokic, who touches the ball nearly every possession-is something Houston has to embrace if they want to take the next step.
At 10-17, and now on a three-game road skid, the Rockets find themselves in a tough stretch. But if Sengun’s performance is any indication, there’s a foundation being built. He’s not just chasing Jokic’s shadow-he’s carving out his own path, one triple-double at a time.