How the Houston Rockets Can Stay Afloat Without Alperen Sengun

The Houston Rockets face a major challenge with rising star Alperen Sengun expected to miss time due to injury. For a team building its identity around Sengun’s playmaking and scoring, losing him forces a major shift in how the Rockets operate on both ends of the court. For fans in Houston, the big question now is simple: how does this team keep winning?

Sengun has been the Rockets’ offensive engine, leading in touches and creating opportunities for teammates through his unique mix of post play, passing vision, and creativity. Without him, Houston leans heavily on guards Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet to generate offense. That means more pick‑and‑rolls, faster tempo, and more spacing-focused sets.

Shifting the Offensive Blueprint

Head coach Ime Udoka will likely reshape the system to highlight Houston’s guards. Expect the pace to pick up as the Rockets run more in transition and rely less on the half-court orchestration Sengun anchored. Green will have a chance to showcase his explosiveness, while VanVleet’s leadership becomes even more important in maintaining stability.

The absence of Sengun also opens opportunities for Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason to expand their roles. Both young forwards can stretch the floor and attack mismatches, giving Houston multiple scoring threats even without their star center.

A New Look on Defense

Defensively, the Rockets may actually find some advantages. Sengun’s improvement on that end has been clear, but backups like Jock Landale and rookie Cam Whitmore bring different strengths. Houston can switch more often and rely on length and athleticism to disrupt opponents. This creates a new identity that could surprise teams not expecting a more aggressive defensive style.

Why It Matters

The Rockets are pushing for postseason relevance, and how they respond to Sengun’s absence will determine whether they stay in the chase. Young teams often grow through adversity, and this stretch could fast‑track development for players who normally orbit around Sengun’s offensive gravity.

For fans, it’s a chance to see how deep and resilient this roster truly is. With several former lottery picks and veterans capable of stepping up, Houston has the talent to stay competitive—the question is whether they can adapt quickly enough.

What’s Next

Udoka and the Rockets will adjust game by game as Sengun recovers. If Houston can stay near the playoff line until he returns, the team could emerge stronger and more balanced when its centerpiece is back on the floor.

This article is a summary of reporting by Sports Illustrated. Read the full story here.