Already All-Star contender? Alperen Sengun shines again as Rockets defeat Pacers

The Houston Rockets secured a commanding 130-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, fueled by an impressive performance from center Alperen Sengun.

The win handed Indiana its ninth loss of the season.

Sengun’s recent form has drawn widespread praise from commentators, with many considering him a strong contender for this season’s NBA All-Star lineup.

Alperen Sengun leads Houston Rockets

Returning to the Toyota Center after a tough road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, the Rockets sought redemption—and they found it.

Sengun set the tone early, attacking the rim aggressively and drawing Indiana’s defense into the paint.

This opened opportunities for Houston’s shooters, with veteran guard Fred VanVleet and forward Jabari Smith Jr. capitalizing on three-point shots. A dominant third quarter saw the Rockets outscore the Pacers by 12 points, putting the game out of reach.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with a stellar double-double, tallying 31 points and 12 rebounds despite facing early foul trouble. Jabari Smith Jr. also delivered an outstanding performance, contributing 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

After struggling with efficiency earlier in the season, Smith has found his rhythm, shooting 50% or better in three of his last four games.

Tari Eason’s defensive prowess was another highlight of the night. His six steals disrupted the Pacers’ offense and fueled Houston’s 30 points off turnovers, proving pivotal to the Rockets’ success.