The Houston Rockets lost their first game of the NBA season, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 125-124 in double overtime. The Thunder enjoyed 35 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 28 points from Chet Holmgren.
The best performance came from Alperen Sengun, who led all scorers with 39 points. He added 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals for good measure while shooting five of eight from 3-point range.
Sengun is coming off a successful EuroBasket tournament representing Turkey and his first All-Star season. In the season opener, he made NBA history.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 02: Alperen Sengun #28 and Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets celebrate after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
NBA Makes Historical Alperen Sengun Announcement
According to the league, Sengun’s outing against the Thunder was the first 35-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, and five 3-pointers-made opening game in NBA history.
It was Sengun’s first time setting those marks in his career, and it rivals his 2024 45-point game as his best career outing.
The last time any player hit the numbers given by the league was, bizarrely, Pat Connaughton against the Detroit Pistons last season. Only 51 players have ever recorded that feat, with James Harden having done it 24 times.
As an all-around player, Sengun has improved vastly since his 2022 rookie season and quickly passed Jalen Green as the face of the franchise. With the addition of Kevin Durant, the Rockets are expected to make some noise this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – OCTOBER 21: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets loses control of the ball being guarded by Brooks Barnhizer #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on October 21, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)
Houston Rockets Need to Step Up
Yes, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the NBA. A one-point overtime loss is nothing to cry over, although there were some alarming trends that Houston needs to deal with.
Neither Durant nor Amen Thompson made a 3-pointer in the game. Of course, Durant is one of the better shooters in NBA history, so his woeful shooting night is not a major concern. Thompson, meanwhile, has never been a good shooter.
The Rockets will be relying on Thompson to run the offense in the absence of Fred VanVleet. Both he and Reed Sheppard struggled with taking care of the ball, and the clock is ticking on the Rockets finding a long-term point guard.
Hopefully, Thompson can step up. He doesn’t have to be elite, as Sengun is one of the better passing bigs in the NBA, although someone will have to set the table if the historical season debut is to become routine for the Turkish center.
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