Alperen Sengun's All-Star Snub: A Tough Omission in a Loaded West
Every year, the NBA All-Star selections spark debate - and this season is no different. With the league brimming with talent, deserving players inevitably get left off the roster.
One of the most glaring omissions this time around? Alperen Sengun.
After earning his first All-Star nod last season, Sengun won’t be making a return trip this year, even as he continues to anchor a surging 30-17 Houston Rockets squad alongside Kevin Durant. And while he’s battled through an ankle injury that’s impacted stretches of his season, the numbers - and his impact - tell a story that’s hard to ignore.
The Numbers Back Him Up
Sengun’s stat line through 40 games is nothing short of impressive: 21 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He’s hitting 50% from the field, and he’s bringing it defensively too, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest. Those are well-rounded, two-way numbers that reflect a player doing just about everything for his team.
Yes, his last three games have been rough - just 13.7 points per game on under 30% shooting - but zoom out, and his full body of work paints a different picture. He’s setting career-high marks in assists, steals, and blocks, all while serving as the offensive engine behind Durant in Houston’s system.
Let’s not forget the tone he set on Opening Night: a 39-point, 11-rebound explosion against the defending champion Thunder. That wasn’t a fluke.
Sengun has topped 20 points in half of his games this season and notched 22 double-doubles. He’s been consistent, dynamic, and central to Houston’s rise in the Western Conference standings.
Context Matters
The Western Conference is stacked - that’s no secret. There are only so many roster spots, and with so many stars having standout seasons, the All-Star selection process becomes more about numbers than narratives.
But Sengun’s case is compelling. He’s not just putting up stats; he’s doing it for a top-four team in the West, and he’s doing it while playing a unique role as a playmaking big who can score, rebound, and facilitate at a high level.
He may not have made the initial reserve list, but there’s still a path to the All-Star Game. Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined with a calf strain and may not return in time for the festivities. If commissioner Adam Silver needs an injury replacement, Sengun should be right at the top of the list.
One of the Biggest Snubs?
Given the Rockets’ record, Sengun’s production, and his importance to the team’s success, it’s hard not to view him as one of the biggest snubs this year. The All-Star Game is meant to showcase the league’s best - and Sengun has played like one of them. Whether or not he ultimately gets the call, he’s made it clear: he belongs in that conversation.