‘Attack mode’: Despite loss, Rockets star Alperen Sengun elite in playoff debut

[ASFN Admin]

For the Houston Rockets as a whole, Sunday’s Game 1 of their first-round playoff series versus the Golden State Warriorswas a dud.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night, also from Toyota Center in downtown Houston. Though the second-seeded Rockets had home-court advantage going into the series, the seventh-seeded Warriors snatched that away by winning their road opener, and Houston now needs to win at least one game in San Francisco to ultimately win the series.

But if there's a source of optimism for the Rockets, it was the playoff debut of All-Star center Alperen Sengun. The 22-year-old, fourth-year big man was outstanding, finishing with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals while making 11-of-18 shots (61.1%). His point total was tied for the second-highest in a playoff debut in franchise history, trailing only Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (who had 31 in 1969).

In postgame comments, Sengun said of his play:

I just wanted to win. I was just trying my best. I was in attack mode.

It was a tough and physical game. It happens. We miss some that we make another day. We’re not thinking about the shots we miss. I think those were all good-looking shots. We still have time to make those.

I would say we were nervous, a little bit.

Unfortunately, Sengun's elite performance was offset by woeful shooting from guards Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green — who combined to make just 7-of-26 shots (26.9%), including 2-of-17 from 3-point range (11.8%).

The Rockets will try and put all the pieces together at the same time when Game 2 tips off at 8:30 p.m. Central on Wednesday night.

More: By the numbers: Despite rebounding dominance, Rockets fall to Warriors in playoff opener


This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Attack mode’: Despite loss, Alperen Sengun elite in playoff debut

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