Rockets’ Alperen Sengun adds pressure to Lakers with big statement after Game 5

Failure is the best teacher, as they say. After their terrible loss in Game 3, Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets have notched back-to-back wins against the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round series in the playoffs.

The Rockets held on for the victory, 99-93, in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, spoiling the return of Austin Reaves from his oblique injury.

Sengun had another all-around performance with 14 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block. Although he only took nine shots, his facilitating and two-way activity were huge for the Rockets.

The 23-year-old Sengun, who gave an impassioned speech in Game 4, said he made a conscious effort to move the ball to keep the Lakers guessing. He expressed confidence that they can do the same in Game 6 at Toyota Center on Friday.

“Today, I knew they were coming after me, so I was just trying to find my teammates, and everybody was ready to shoot. We kind of understand what they’re doing on defense right now,” said Sengun in the postgame interview.

“Everybody feels amazing. Nobody’s tired. Today, everybody showed it. We’re going in front of our families, fans (in Game 6), hopefully there’s gonna be a lot of people out there, and we’re gonna protect our home and come back here for Game 7.”

"Everybody feels amazing, Nobody's tired… we are going to protect home and come back for Game 7.”

Alperen Sengun says that the Rockets are ready for Game 6

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/sH6RP3cpRx

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 30, 2026

The two-time All-Star also touted their resolve despite losing the first three games.

“We had those bad mistakes in Game 3. But we learned now. I was talking to the team about not rushing, we’re up, we gotta hold the ball and get open, and that was the key. We watched, we learned, and we showed it today,” added Sengun.

No team has ever climbed back from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs.

Still, Sengun likes their chances.

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