Rockets’ Alperen Sengun: We believe we can come back from 3-0

Things haven’t gone well for the Rockets in their series vs. the Lakers. Like, almost nothing.

For starters, Kevin Durant has missed two of the three games (including Game 3 with a sprained ankle). Then the Rockets choked away what seemed like a certain victory, losing in overtime.

Then coach Ime Udoka called out the players, using phrases such as “horrendous mistakes” and “grow up.”

So, yeah, the result has been a 3-0 deficit. And this is the NBA. No team has overcome that. As in … ever. 

But while Houston may have a problem, big man Alperen Sengun said the Rockets also have hope.

“We have another game Sunday. The series is not over,” Sengun said. “We still believe we can come back. Win Sunday, then (again in Game 5 in Los Angeles), then come back here again. Nobody is giving up … That’s what we gotta do.”

Yes, I know. You’re asking, “What else is he supposed to say?” My answer to that is always the same. We don’t write what they’re “supposed” to say. We write what they do say.

And as of Friday night, Sengun is saying he still believes. 

Questions remain about both sides, of course. Durant’s status is up in the air. The Lakers could finally get back Austin Reaves. Along with the injured Luka Doncic, Reaves has missed the entire series.

Could the Rockets be the first team ever to overcome a 3-0 hole? Well, as Sengun suggested, there’s only one way to find out. They’ll need to start by winning the next one.