The Houston Rockets came into the 2025-26 season with legitimate buzz. A young core, some veteran firepower, and a head coach in Ime Udoka who doesn’t mince words-it felt like the pieces were finally coming together.
But after back-to-back losses, including a 99-109 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets at home, the cracks are starting to show. And at the center of it all-literally and figuratively-is Alperen Sengun.
Let’s start with the numbers. Sengun, who’s been one of the Rockets’ most productive players this season, had a quiet night against Charlotte: just seven points, nine rebounds, and five assists in 28 minutes.
That’s a far cry from his season averages of 20.9 points, 9.4 boards, and 6.2 dimes per game. But the box score only tells part of the story.
The bigger issue? Defense.
Specifically, Sengun’s ability-or lack thereof-to hold up in pick-and-roll coverage. It’s no secret around the league that teams have been targeting him in those situations, and that strategy was on full display in the Rockets’ recent losses to both the Celtics and Hornets.
When asked about it after the game, Udoka didn’t sugarcoat things.
“It’s been the case since I’ve been here. So no different there,” Udoka said, addressing the defensive spotlight on Sengun.
That’s a blunt assessment, but it tracks. Opposing guards and wings are consistently drawing Sengun into space, forcing him to make quick decisions defensively-an area where he’s still developing.
And it’s not just the coaches who are noticing. Late in the second quarter against Charlotte, with just 37 seconds left on the clock, a Hornets player sliced through the defense for an easy layup.
Kevin Durant, clearly frustrated, turned to Sengun and shouted, “Play some defense.”
That moment captured the mood perfectly. This is a team with playoff aspirations, currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference at 31-19.
Expectations are real now. The Rockets aren’t just trying to be competitive-they’re trying to win.
And when you’re in that space, defensive lapses don’t go unnoticed, especially not by veterans like Durant.
Still, it’s worth keeping perspective. Sengun is only 21 years old and remains one of the most versatile young bigs in the league.
His ability to facilitate offense from the post, stretch the floor, and rebound at a high level is rare. But as the Rockets aim to solidify themselves as a top-tier team, the defensive side of the ball is where Sengun will need to grow the most.
The next test? A road matchup against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center.
It’s a chance for the Rockets to bounce back-and for Sengun to respond. Because if Houston wants to make real noise this season, they’ll need their rising star to shine on both ends of the floor.