Alperen Sengun shows yet again why is sneakily the Rockets' most crucial player

The Houston Rockets came away with an improbable overtime victory over the Orlando Magic, 117-113. If you're shocked by this statement, even after watching the entirety of the game, you're not alone.

Nevertheless, the Rockets finished off their home stand with another huge win, and, despite Kevin Durant's dazzling heroics, Alperen Sengun proved yet again why he can be the team's most important player when it comes down to it.

On the night, Sengun had 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, shooting 35.5% from the field and, at times, looking outmatched against the swarming Orlando defense. Yet, when it counted, Sengun stepped up on both ends of the floor, and his continued clutch performance will be wholly necessary for the realization of any championship hopes that Houston may have this season.

Although Kevin Durant is their closer, Alperen Sengun makes the plays when it matters most

Although the Magic struggled early in the season to reach the lofty expectations set for them by analysts, they have since found their footing, and, given the fact that they were looking for their fourth straight win since Desmond Bane's incredible buzzer-beater against the Portland Trail Blazers, this was always going to be a tough matchup.

The Rockets allowed themselves to be dragged down into the muck throughout the course of the night, squaring off in a defensive battle with one of the few teams that can rival their intensity and versatility on that end of the floor when they're at their best.

Yet, Houston's offense found a way yet again, and Durant led the team with 35 points on 54.2% shooting on the night. Without a doubt, these are the types of games that the organization brought Durant in for, and he delivered.

Yet, Sengun's performance should not be lost in the clamor. Not only did he post another impressive stat line, he had a massive block to keep the game close in late in the fourth quarter, then hit this shot on the inbound pass to tie the game in its final second:

Sengun had an inefficient night from the floor. Admittedly, he's prone to do that at times.

Yet, when it counts, Sengun is capable of delivering on both ends of the floor in a way that Durant is not. He has taken major strides as a rim protector over the past couple of seasons, and his burgeoning ability as a primary facilitator was a major reason the Rockets were able to find any sort of offensive flow in some of the game's most important moments.

Durant is this team's star, and that's the way it should be. Yet, it should not be forgotten that, without Sengun, this team would not be performing at the level that it has so far this season, and this game was a perfect example of that fact.