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Alperen Sengun addressed the media on Thursday during practice ahead of the Houston Rockets’ first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
The Rockets center was asked about playoff physicality and how Houston’s season-long style could translate into the postseason matchup.
“Like you said, we played that all season and now every team is going to do that, you know, and everybody ready for that, especially Lakers right now. They have some players out, so they’re going to play more aggressive and we already knew that and we’re gonna just respond to that physicality out there and hopefully do the better job.”
Sengun also spoke about the impact Kevin Durant has had on his mindset during the season, particularly regarding confidence after missed shots.
“I learned a lot of things. Stay strong mentally. I don’t care that much like I used to about missing shots. I used to care a lot when I used to miss shots. So when I miss shots now, he already screaming in my ear, it’s going to come. So I will say a lot of things, but one of those things is confidence. Especially confidence. He talks to me all the time. So if I don’t play good, if I miss shots, he just always right behind me reaching with my ear telling me you’re going to be good. Just confidence, man. That’s what I would say.”
When asked about the Lakers matchup and the team’s mindset entering the series as the lower seed, Sengun pointed to preparation and familiarity from the regular season.
“Just the feeling of this team going on this trip. We already know we ready for this matchup. We’ve been working. We kind of know them. We played them this season and they have players out. So we already know they’re going to be more aggressive. They’re going to be more free to play and we all know it’s going to be a hard game and hard matchup in LA.”
He also reflected on Houston’s previous postseason experience and how it shaped his approach entering this year’s playoffs.
“I would say we had one of the best first playoff experiences ever. We played one of the teams playing in the finals. Being a player for years and we bring the game to the seventh and we played really great. They were a really good team. It was physicality playing against Draymond. It was just amazing and taught me a lot. These matchups now I know what I’m going to do going out there. I can be just soft and going over there just dominate. It just mental matter a lot.”
Sengun added that his approach to shooting and confidence has evolved, emphasizing repetition and mental stability during games.
“I still care a little bit because I’m still twenty three so I still need to get better, but I just got better. Even missing free throws, I don’t care that much. I’m still going to take that shot. I already know it. So missing, making, doesn’t matter. End of the day I’m still taking that shot. I start learning if I think about too much I just keep missing and it doesn’t help. I’m just trying to get strong mentally and just I’m going to make the next one. It doesn’t matter. I miss next one again. I just shoot the third one again. That’s the mental idea.”
