Alperen

Sengun

VanVleet and Sengun will not play on Wednesday, as the Rockets have clinched the two-seed in the West. Aaron Holiday and Reed Sheppard may see their minutes increase due to VanVleet’s absence, while Steven Adams and Jock Landale will pick up the slack for Sengun.

Houston is set to be without Fred VanVleet (ankle) and could miss two more key contributors. Sengun’s absence would likely bump Steven Adams into the starting lineup, with Jock Landale filling out the backup center minutes. Smith Jr.'s absence would open the door for Cam Whitmore or Jae’Sean Tate to fill out extra minutes. However, in an important game for the standings out West, head coach Ime Udoka may lean on his starters more heavily.

Sengun’s double-double was his second in three games and his 45th of the season. The Rockets’ center was a top-100 player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks, with his value taking a slight hit compared to what he’s done this season. Sengun and the Rockets are now one win or a Lakers’ loss away from wrapping up the two-seed in the West. This has been a highly impressive turnaround for the franchise, and Sengun has been in the middle of it all.

Sengun is not necessarily known for his scoring, but has had at least 30 points twice over his last five games. The 22-year-old center is certainly capable of big scoring games, but those are a rare occurrence given the big man doesn’t shoot many three-pointers at all. Sengun hasn’t lived up to his preseason Yahoo! ADP of 27 this season, but he’s still a capable player with a bright future.

Sengun finished one assist shy of a triple-double on Wednesday as he helped the Rockets clinch their first playoff berth since the Orlando bubble in 2020. Over the past two weeks, the Rockets center has provided seventh-round in eight- and nine-cat formats. While Sengun has not met his Yahoo! ADP (27) this season, his production has not fallen off a cliff. Also, the improvement of some of his teammates has impacted his usage and fantasy value this season.

Sengun bounced back after missing three free-throw attempts Sunday against the Suns to make all four of his free throws against the Lakers Monday. The 22-year-old center had an otherwise solid, but unspectacular effort. He only committed two turnovers, which has also been an issue for him. Sengun’s varied skillset allows him to contribute in many categories, but his free-throw shooting and turnovers have dragged his value down a bit on the season.

Sengun checked out with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter and did not return, falling one rebound short of his 44th double-double of the season. Over the past two weeks, the Rockets center has been a seventh-round player in eight-cat formats. Foul shooting has been an issue for Sengun, who entered Sunday shooting 68.6 percent from the stripe during the last two weeks. That number will decrease in the aftermath of Sunday’s 4-of-7 effort. Houston plays four games during Week 22, starting with the Lakers on Monday.

Sengun exploded for his first game with at least 30 points since March 1. The 22-year-old center isn’t a three-point shooter and missed his only attempt from behind the three-point line against the Jazz on Thursday. Sengun committed three turnovers, which had been a problem but is as many as he committed in the previous three games combined. Sengun remains much more valuable in eight-category leagues due to his struggles with turnovers this season.

Sengun finished Sunday’s loss with his fourth triple-double of the season and first since November 26. The Rockets center also did not commit a turnover, which was the first time he’d accomplished that since January 25. Sengun has only been a top-75 player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks, but fantasy managers don’t have much to worry about regarding his production. The Rockets play three games during Week 21, starting with the Hawks on Tuesday.

Sengun has recorded a double-double in four straight and five of his last six appearances, one reason why the Rockets have ripped off eight consecutive wins. He committed three turnovers, which is lower than his average of 3.8 per game since the All-Star break. Due to the turnovers, a four-round gap separates Sengun’s eight-cat and nine-cat values. He’ll look to end Week 20 on a high note as the Rockets close with games against the Heat and Nuggets.