The NBA Cup tips off with a few teams already carrying real momentum, and the West is where the early heat is building fastest. Houston comes in as one of three undefeated teams out there, and the Rockets have been putting up points in a hurry. They’re averaging 123 per game, good for third in the league, with Kevin Durant and third-year small forward Amen Thompson helping drive that surge.
But the name to keep circling is Alperen Sengun. The center has been the Rockets’ engine, leading the team in rebounds, points, and assists per game.
His rise has shown up beyond the box score, too, because his card market has stayed strong. In 2026, he has four cards that have sold for over five figures, and only one of those included an autograph.
His breakout last season made collectors pay attention, and his 2021 National Treasures 1/1 Rookie Logoman Autograph card brought in $85,4000.00 on April 26, 2025.
Memphis is getting its own offensive punch from Ty Jerome, who is averaging 29.8 points per game and sits second in the league. Cedric Coward has also stepped into the starting five in his second year and is giving the Grizzlies a lift as a floor-spacer, scoring 13.3 points per game. And then there’s rookie Cameron Boozer, who has been a force early and is the only rookie averaging a double-double as Memphis opens the season undefeated.
Out West, the Lakers have also come flying out of the gate. Luka Doncic has taken over after LeBron left for Philadelphia, and he’s doing it with plenty of help.
Austin Reaves is giving them more than 20 points per game, and Los Angeles is second in the league at 123.2 points per game. With a 4-1 start, Luka is only down seven percent over the past year, which makes this look like a spot where buy-and-hold interest could make sense.
The other side of the scoreboard has its own heavy hitters. Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James have teamed up to give the 76ers a combined 43.9 points per game, and they’re tied for the lead in their division. Detroit is right there too, with Cade Cunningham steering the Pistons and keeping them tied for the lead with Philadelphia.
In Other News...
Rockets' First Loss Exposed A Problem They Can't Ignore
The Rockets first loss of the season came in a game that looked winnable deep into the fourth quarter, but the details that slipped away told the bigger story. Houston fell 114-111 to Dallas, with Kevin Durant carrying the offense with 26 points while Kyrie Irving answered for the Mavericks with 33, and the margin was tight enough that every empty possession and defensive mistake felt magnified.
What stood out most was how much the Rockets missed Alperen Senguns presence in the middle, even with the team not viewing his absence as a major injury concern. Houston also left points on the board in a few costly ways, from missed free throws to goaltending violations, the kind of self-inflicted issues that can turn a close game into a frustrating loss and give the staff plenty to clean up before the next one. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Just Sent A Clear Message About Reed Sheppard
The Rockets have continued their habit of locking in their young core early, and Reed Sheppard is the latest example. Houston has been active in securing long-term contracts for its emerging players, and the former No. 3 overall pick from 2024 has seen his role grow as he settles into the rotation and becomes a more important part of the teams future plans.
Sheppards rising profile now puts him on a path that could lead to a bigger payday down the line, depending on how his development continues over the next couple of seasons. For a Rockets team intent on building sustainably, the move says plenty about how the front office views his trajectory, even if the next major decision on his contract is still a ways off. [Read more 🡒]
Kyrie Irving Just Gave Rockets Fans A Tough Trade Question
Kyrie Irving put the Rockets in a difficult spot Friday night, carving them up for 35 points and 9 assists in an NBA Cup game that handed Houston its first loss of the season. He was efficient, in control and, from the Rockets perspective, exactly the kind of shot-creator who can change a game when the offense starts to bog down.
And because Houston has been looking for more high-end creation around Kevin Durant, Irvings name naturally lands in the conversation as a possible fit. The question is whether the Rockets would ever be willing to pay the price, with the discussion centering on Fred VanVleet and additional assets, even as the team weighs what a move like that would mean for its young core. [Read more 🡒]