By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 03:06 GMT, 4 January 2026 | Updated: 03:06 GMT, 4 January 2026
DALLAS (AP) - Houston center Alperen Sengun left the Rockets' game Saturday night against Dallas only 1:04 into play after spraining his right ankle.
Sengun landed awkwardly after grabbing a defensive rebound and fell to the court. As he got into a sitting position, he grabbed at his ankle. He limped to the bench and was soon led to the locker room. The team said at halftime that he wouldn't return to the game.
Sengun averages 22.6 points, second on the team to Kevin Durant, and leads the team with 9.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
The Rockets were already playing without reserve big man Steven Adams because of a sprained ankle.
The Mavericks also lost a starter early. Forward P.J. Washington Jr. played all 12 minutes of the first period and was then ruled out with a sprained right ankle.
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun rests on the floor after falling on a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, center, falls to the floor after challenging Dallas Mavericks forward Daniel Gafford, left, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts on the bench after taking a fall on a rebound attempt against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun is slow to get up after falling on a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, goes up for a rebound against Dallas Mavericks forward Daniel Gafford (21) as teammate forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)