Alperen Sengun career highs: Running through the best games of Sengun's career

The Houston Rockets have a lot of lottery picks on their roster. Specifically, they chose in the top 5 in three consecutive drafts. There's a lot of upside between Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson.

Still, their future franchise player may not have come in the lottery at all. It may have come via a draft-day deal to acquire 16th-overall pick Alperen Sengun. We're not sure what the Rockets' future looks like, but it may be as bright as Sengun can make it.

In 2023-24, Sengun looked like a potential superstar. He had no shortage of excellent games. This article highlights his career highs, but it's worth noting that they all came in 2023-24.

Here are his five best games from a breakout season.

5. December 26, 2023 vs Indiana Pacers

Stats: 30 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals

Sengun is certainly a specific archetype. In an era when big men are largely expected to space the floor and defend, Sengun makes his mark as a scorer and a playmaker.

By contrast, Myles Turner is perhaps the prototypical big in 2024. He's not much of an offensive creator, but he's a floor spacer who defends the rim. So, he should have outplayed Sengun - right?

Wrong. Turner was solid in this contest, but he was no match for the Turkish Delight. He finished with 18 points but also committed 5 fouls. That was largely due to his inability to contain a crafty interior scorer like Sengun.

Speaking of Sengun's defense, he finished this game with 4 steals. He may not be a conventional rim protector, but Sengun's quick hands and instincts do allow him to pilfer the ball more than an average big man. This game would rank higher on this list if the Rockets hadn't lost 123-117.

4. December 23, 2023 @ New Orleans Pelicans

Stats: 37 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Twas the night before Christmas, and the Pelicans were in Alperen Sengun's house.

Fine - it was the night before the night before Christmas, and the game was in New Orleans. The Pelicans still had no answer for Sengun. He invaded their house, and he put his feet up on their couch.

Some would argue that Sengun struggled to contain the paint in this one. Sure, Zion Williamson finished with 28 points on 11/16 shooting from the field. If containing Williamson is a prerequisite for a modern big man, there aren't many - if any - good defensive bigs in the league.

Either way, it was a moot point. Sengun dished more out than he received. He went to war with one of the brightest offensive stars in the NBA, and he emerged victorious.

3. January 13, 2023 @ Los Angeles Lakers

Stats: 33 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks

There's always something special about playing the Lakers. They're the biggest show in town. On the 13th, that distinction almost went to Sengun.

Instead, it went to LeBron James. He carried the Lakers to a win with an astonishing 48 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. Still, we won't hold it against Sengun if he was outplayed by one of the best players in NBA history.

Sengun was still the second-best player in this contest. He put his array of low-post moves on full display. His 4 blocks also demonstrated an ability to defend the rim despite his physical limitations.

It wasn't enough to stop the Lakers. They pulled out a 140-132 win in this one, but we can't blame Sengun.

2. January 20, 2024 vs Utah Jazz

Stats: 37 points, 14 assists, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Ideally, your best player is more than just your best player. He's your leader. In this contest, Sengun displayed true leadership qualities.

This was a nail-biter. The Rockets squeaked out a 127-126 win against the Jazz. It was in the extra frame when Sengun took matters into his own hands.

in total, he finished with 7 points and a block in overtime. Sengun was aggressive in hunting his shot. He wasn't going to let the Rockets lose this one.

Still, it was Sengun's steady hand that guided them to OT in the first place. You see the stat line above - that's an impressive night. Sengun looked every bit the future franchise player in this one.

It's surprising that it's not the best game of his career.

1. March 5, 2024 vs San Antonio Spurs

Stats: 45 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 1 block

The Wemby game. What a legendary performance.

We won't take anything away from Victor Wembanyama. It feels likely that he'll be the best player in the NBA one day. He may need to bulk up before that happens. Otherwise, players like Sengun will still be able to exploit him.

The French phenom had no answers for Sengun on the 5th. Sengun used his superior girth and strength to knock Wembanyama away from his place. If Sengun wanted the shot, he was getting it.

Sure, Wembanyama had a ridiculous 7 blocks. There's no denying his impact on team defense. Wembanyama makes it nearly impossible for guards to drive to the rim.

That doesn't mean he can contain his primary assignment. Sengun was 19/32 from the field during this game. He attacked Wembanyama for a career high in points, and the Rockets got a 114-101 win. It was the best game of Sengun's career:

So far.