Alperen Sengun was upgraded from out to day-to-day on Thursday's injury report with a back issue. That leaves the Rockets center's status open for Friday's game at the Mavericks.
What happened
Alperen Sengun was moved to day-to-day on the official injury report at 12:58 a.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 29. The 24-year-old center has a back issue. He had been listed as out since Tuesday, Oct. 27. The report's comment still reads: "Sengun (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bucks." The report gives an expected return date of Oct. 30. This is his second stint on the report this fall. He was listed as day-to-day on Oct. 11 for rest and was cleared on Oct. 15.
What it means for the Rockets
Houston's next game is Friday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. ET, on the road against the Mavericks. The Rockets are 5-0, hold the top seed and have won five straight. Sengun is averaging 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 34.0 minutes through four games. Houston is 4-0 with him and 1-0 without him. Without him, Jabari Smith Jr. averaged 34.4 minutes and 16.2 points. Kevin Durant averaged 34.3 minutes and 22.4 points, and Amen Thompson averaged 33.9 minutes and 18.2 points. Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard and Bogdan Bogdanovic also played rotation minutes. Marcus Smart (left forearm) and Steven Adams (right calf) are both out.
What to watch
The next injury report should show whether Sengun is cleared for Friday. The report lists Oct. 30, the day of the Mavericks game, as his expected return. The team has not announced that he will play. Watch Smart and Adams too. Both are out, so if Sengun sits again, Houston's frontcourt rotation gets even thinner. Tipoff at the Mavericks is set for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 30.
Is Alperen Sengun playing at the Mavericks on Friday, Oct. 30?
It has not been announced. He is listed as day-to-day with a back issue, and the injury report gives Oct. 30 as his expected return date.
When will Alperen Sengun be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 30, the day of Houston's game at the Mavericks. The team has not confirmed that he will play.