The Houston Rockets secured a 125-118 victory over the Utah Jazz in a close matchup, highlighted by a 43-point performance from Alperen Sengun. Following the win, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka addressed Sengun's dominant play and noted that Fred VanVleet helped rally the team after a third-quarter deficit.
Sengun finished the game with 43 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal. He shot 17-24 from the field for 70.8% and 1-3 from behind the arc. This performance makes him the third player in franchise history, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming, to record at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 70% or more from the field in a single game. Udoka stated that Sengun was dominant and noted that the player picked the defense apart, which helped win the game for the team.
The game remained competitive after the Jazz took a 10-point lead late in the third quarter. Udoka revealed that Fred VanVleet, who finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and three assists, shouted at the bench to increase the team's energy. VanVleet scored 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter, helping the Rockets score 29 points in that period. Sengun remarked that the team calls VanVleet the 'admiral' because he wakes everyone up when the team is sleeping.
Sengun recorded only one turnover during the game, contributing to a team total of eight turnovers. The Rockets capitalized on 18 points from Utah's turnovers. This victory extends the Rockets' three-game winning streak.
The Houston Rockets are scheduled to face the Washington Wizards on Sunday night, Nov. 15.
