The Houston Rockets’ playoff run came to an end on Sunday night after a tough Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors, who triumphed 103-89. Despite the defeat, Alperen Sengun shared insightful reflections on his first postseason experience, shedding light on the challenges and lessons learned.
Sengun, who had been thrust into the spotlight due to the Rockets’ defensive needs, expressed that the series was a significant learning curve.
“Man, learn a lot, you know, first-time player, for me, and one of the best players, been in the league a long time. Just learned a lot, man. Learn, learn the aggressiveness, defense, play both ways,” he said, acknowledging the intensity of facing off against one of the league’s elite defenders, Draymond Green. He added, “just try to win, try to help my teammates, but just got to learn and move on.”
Though the loss stung, Sengun’s words reflected optimism and a desire for growth. He spoke candidly about his team’s journey, noting that while the playoff exit was disappointing, it was part of a larger process. “It’s going to be a great offseason for us and just get better next year,” he stated confidently.
While the team faced a challenging elimination game, the Rockets’ growth throughout the season cannot be overlooked. Sengun’s development, in particular, stood out, especially with his increased focus on defense.
“I think I improved my defensive way this season, but I got to work a lot more on my offense,” he admitted. “I’m going to work a lot this offseason…come back even stronger next year.”
