The Houston Rockets got 64 seconds from Alperen ΕengΓΌn on Saturday. They can only hope they don’t get even less in their next several games.
The All-Star center exited Saturday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks after rolling his right ankle while rebounding, roughly one minute into the first quarter. He soon limped to the bench then left for the locker room.
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The Rockets initially announced him as questionable to return, then downgraded him to out.
The injury could interrupt a career year for the Turkish star. After making his first All-Star Game last year, he entered Saturday averaging career highs in points per game (22.6), while leading the Rockets in rebounds (9.3) and assists (6.7). He is a major reason why Houston is off to a 21-10 start, good for third in the Western Conference.
ΕengΓΌn has a history of injuries with that ankle, as his breakout 2023-24 season ended early due to a grade 3 sprain sustained in March. The Rockets will likely know more about this injury either after the game or on Sunday, if imaging is needed.
