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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets in action during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
The Monday, March 16, matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers comes with high stakes considering the standings in the Western Conference.
Entering the matchup, the Rockets are 41-25 on the year. They are currently the fourth seed in the West.
Meanwhile, the LA Lakers are 42-25, holding the 0.5-game lead over Houston for control of the third seed. A win for either team won’t secure a major lead in the standings, but it could go a long way over the next few weeks.
Heading into the matchup, the Rockets had a key name on the injury report. The All-Star Alperen Sengun was downgraded for Houston. He was listed as questionable due to lower-back pain.
Unfortunately, the Rockets aren’t going to get a chance to roll with Sengun on Monday night. The team ruled him out just hours before the game was scheduled to tip-ff.
Rockets Reveal Starting Lineup vs Lakers On Monday
Alperen Sengun (middle)
GettyHouston Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun has been dealing with a setback.
The Rockets will start Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Clint Capela against the Lakers.
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Lineup alert: Rockets will start Thompson, Eason, Durant, Smith Jr., Capela on Monday.
The Lakers will start Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton.
While the Rockets haven’t seemed overly concerned about Sengun’s back issue, he recently missed action for Houston.
During the Rockets’ last outing against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 13, Sengun was ruled out ahead of the action. Fortunately for Houston, they didn’t need Sengun’s services to take care of business.
The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 107-105. That helped the Rockets bounce back after a disappointing loss on the road against the Denver Nuggets.
Last season, Sengun established himself as an NBA All-Star for the first time. The veteran forward averaged 19.1 points, 4.9 assists, and 10.3 rebounds throughout his 76-game season.
This season, Sengun earned All-Star honors for the second time in his career. With 33.4 minutes per game, Sengun has produced 20.2 points (50% FG), 8.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
Compared to last year’s run, the Rockets took a slight step back when it comes to the standings. They finished the 2024-2025 regular season in second place in the West. They trailed the Oklahoma City Thunder by 16.0 games.
While this year’s gap between No. 1 and 2 in the West is much smaller, the Rockets aren’t the other team behind OKC. Instead, it’s the San Antonio Spurs.
The season has been a bit of a roller coaster for the Rockets, who made a major change by acquiring Kevin Durant over the summer. While the Rockets are taking a step back in the standings, they are still a major threat in the Western Conference.
On Monday night, Houston will get an opportunity to take down the Lakers, who have put together a five-game winning streak and secured eight victories over their last 10 games.
The two teams will tip at 9:30 PM ET.