Alperen Sengun leads the Rockets into the cup semi-finals
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Alperen Sengun leads the Rockets into the cup semi-finals

Posted on by Amelia Pressman


By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]

The Houston Rockets ended a 15-game losing streak in the straight series against the Golden State Warriors and reached the semifinals of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup.

Alperen Sengun, who was listed as questionable because of left knee soreness, was cleared and posted a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds, helping his team to a 91-90 victory at Toyota Center on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Turkish center recorded his 17th double-double of the 2024-25 regular season and had five assists and three steals over 31 minutes.

“I have never seen my team so thirsty” mentioned the veteran of 234 appearances in the NBA with the Rockets, “I’m proud of my team, everyone, we worked hard. We finished the game well.”

The Rockets initially failed to gain a lead of 14 points. Responding to a six-point deficit in crucial time, Sengun cut the gap to one point with 27 seconds on the clock. After a missed three-pointer by Stephen Curry, a controversial foul led to Jalen Green sinking two free throws, including the go-ahead one, with 3.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jabari Smith Jr. blocked Brandin Podziemski at the buzzer and secured the win.

“We have to aim for a title” Sengun previewed the Cup semifinals, a clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday in Las Vegas. “Next game we have to fight again. We know OKC is a good team, we just have to go out there and fight.”

Wednesday games

New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 100-108
Houston Rockets-Golden State Warriors 91-90

Ranking

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers 21-4
2. Boston Celtics 19-5
3. Orlando Magic 17-10
4. New York Knicks 16-10
5. Miami Heat 12-10
6. Milwaukee Bucks 13-11
7. Atlanta Hawks 14-12
8. Brooklyn Nets 10-14
9. Indiana Pacers 10-15
10. Chicago Bulls 10-15
11. Detroit Pistons 10-15
12. Philadelphia 76ers 7-15
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-17
14. Toronto Raptors 7-18
15.Washington Wizards 3-19

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 19-5
2. Houston Rockets 17-8
3. Memphis Grizzlies 17-8
4. Dallas Mavericks 16-9
5. Golden State Warriors 14-10
6. Los Angeles Clippers 14-11
7. Denver Nuggets 12-10
8. Los Angeles Lakers 13-11
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 12-11
10. Phoenix Suns 12-11
11. San Antonio Spurs 12-12
12. Sacramento Kings 12-13
13. Portland Trail Blazers 8-16
14. Utah Jazz 5-18
15. New Orleans Pelicans 5-20

-The top six teams in each conference will secure a spot in the playoffs
-Teams placed seventh to tenth advance to the play-ins

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