NBA

Rockets’ Alperen Sengun taken off court in wheelchair after scary injury

Rockets center Alperen Sengun will undergo an MRI exam on his left knee and ankle on Monday following a scary injury in the final minute of Houston’s game against the Kings, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. 

Sengun’s injury was the kind no one wants to see and had the Rockets big man in clear pain after attempting to contest a shot by Kings center Domantas Sabonis. 

Sengun came down hard and awkwardly, almost immediately grabbing for his lower leg in the knee area.

Rockets center Alperen Sengun winces in pain after falling during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings. AP

The concern on the faces of the other players was palpable and it was quickly apparent that something was wrong. 

Rockets coach Ime Udoka said tSengun was getting X-rays after the game and that the team would know more after that, team sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson posted on X

The injury occurred with 39.1 seconds left in the game between the Kings and Rockets at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Sengun was on the floor in pain before he was tended to by the medical staff. 

He was eventually lifted into a wheelchair and wheeled off the court as his emotions began to pour out. 

Sengun had his hands over his face and the fans and players applauded for the Rockets big man. 

Alperen Sengun is wheeled from the arena in a wheelchair during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings. AP

“I don’t know what happened, I don’t know what the reports are, but anytime you see someone come out in a wheelchair you know it’s definitely scary,” Sabonis said. “Very young talent player and just I feel bad. No one wants to get hurt so I just wish him the best and a speedy recovery.”

Sengun had been having one of the best seasons in his three years in the NBA, averaging a career-high 21.2 points. 

Sengun also has 9.4 rebounds per game and five assists. 

Rockets center Alperen Sengun is wheeled from the arena in a wheel chair during the second half. AP

He had 14 points on Sunday night against the Kings. 

Houston defeated Sacramento 112-104 for its second consecutive victory and its fourth win in the last five games.