Rockets started their 2nd half run towards Victor Wembanyama in the best way possible with another loss to the Warriors. The Rockets were relatively competitive throughout but, per usual, the opposition pulled away with a 4th quarter run of dominance. Defense was an objective, but not executed, since Klay Thompson decided to go off for 42 against the Rockets. Despite those performances, a bright spot was to see TyTy Washington’s first nba start at point guard but, the other side of the spectrum, Alperen Sengun was questionably pulled in the 3rd. Is Sengun…sad?
Final in San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/cxz1kI75Cy
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 25, 2023
First career start for TyTy Washington
To start the 2nd half of the year, Coach Silas decided to start TyTy Washington with KPJ and Jalen Green sidelined by injury and he did not disappoint. TyTy showed a lot of poise in his first start and the occasion didn’t look too big for him. He played a solid 33 minutes and produced. However, his most fascinating statline was that he only had 1 turnover. For a point guard, at his young age, TyTy showed a lot in terms of decision making and playing smart with the ball. To pair that with his 15 pts, 4 assists, and 2 steals, I would not be disappointed if we see more TyTy starting until Kevin Porter Jr makes his return to the court.
#Rockets rookie TyTy Washington Jr 1st career start@tytywashington3 vs GSW
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 25, 2023
🏀15 PTS🏀4 AST🏀2 STL🏀@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/8dMkrgLmdT
Alperen Sengun is…sad?
Last night, Coach Silas made the curious decision to sit Alperen Sengun with 4 mins left in the 3rd quarter to never return to the floor. Silas chalked it up to the switching defense the Rockets had to play against the Warriors and that could be considered a weakness in Sengun’s game.
Stephen Silas on Alperen Sengun tonight: "The switching is more difficult when Alpi is on the floor. That makes the defense a little more difficult, against this team in particular."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 25, 2023
Post game, Sengun posted a tweet that was later deleted where he aired out his feelings in 2 emojis. The timing of the tweet, and the context, could lead to believe that he was mad but that was not so.
Talked to @alperennsengun who wants to make it clear this (now deleted) tweet is being taken out of context.
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) February 25, 2023
“I haven’t played well the last 6 or 7 games & I’m mad at myself. I’m missing every shot.Thats why I tweeted that. But people are misunderstanding it. People are waiting… https://t.co/J9DGfX09Vv pic.twitter.com/zHGma1Dah1
The fact that Sengun had to clarify shows the drama that has filled this team. Why pull Sengun that early when he was still producing. Granted, he was 2/10 from the field but he still had 9 rebounds and 8 assists to show he was handling business in other areas. Yes, his defense isn’t the best but I feel Sengun deserved to see the floor in the 4th. In my opinion, he has every right to feel bummed and sad.
What’s next for Rockets?
Rockets started post All Star break the same way they finished the pre All Star break and that is with another loss. The Rockets have 23 games left to, as Tilman Fertita put it, “Pray for Victor” and keep the highest odds of getting the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The Rockets will play in Portland, Sunday evening, and as we all hope that they can play a competitive game. Whether that performance can actually happen is a whole other story but I am curious to see how Sengun responds to being sat and TyTy hopefully getting another start.
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