Houston Rockets Rule Out Alperen Şengün vs. Dallas Mavericks, Clear Marcus Smart To Return From Forearm Strain
DALLAS — Before Friday night’s game at American Airlines Center, Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Alperen Şengün would sit out against the Dallas Mavericks with low back soreness. It will be the second straight game Şengün has missed for the Houston Rockets.
Udoka also said Marcus Smart was likely to return from a left forearm strain, and the Rockets have since listed him as available. Smart has missed Houston’s last three games after the injury surfaced shortly before the Rockets played at Atlanta on Oct. 24. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
Alperen Şengün Out For Second Straight Game
Şengün first sat out Wednesday’s 132-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, which was the first game he had missed this season. Imaging showed a minor strain. Earlier this week, Udoka said on SportsTalk 790 that he hoped the back would cost Şengün “a few games at most,” the Houston Chronicle reported.
Two nights before the back issue kept him out, Şengün had 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in a 120-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Through four games, he is averaging 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.8 steals. In the Oct. 21 opener, Şengün had 23 points and 10 rebounds as Houston beat Dallas 128-110, and Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points apiece.
Tari Eason started at center in Milwaukee with Şengün out. Clint Capela came off the bench for 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in 22 minutes. Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 24 points, and Amen Thompson added 23. Steven Adams remains out with a right soleus strain, and Reed Sheppard is out with low back soreness.
Marcus Smart Available For Houston
Smart was listed as questionable on Houston’s report Thursday before the Rockets cleared him Friday. Mavericks coach Dusty May met with reporters before the game, nine days after the loss in Houston. May said the Rockets’ toughness stands out and that they have built a roster around size, strength, and athleticism.
“When you start talking about Jabari Smith and Thompson and KD, those are big, long, rangy athletes that are aggressive,” May said. “And you’re not even talking about Fred, who’s one of the best steals guy in the league, and Marcus Smart, who’s just a hawk on the ball. And I’m probably forgetting guys, but the way they’re built, they challenge you in a number of areas.”
Dallas is getting Naji Marshall back from an illness that cost him two games. Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberović, Sergio De Larrea, and Dereck Lively II are out for the Mavericks.
Houston is 5-0 and plays the second night of a back-to-back Saturday, when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit Toyota Center at 7:30 p.m. CT.
