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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun said he was disappointed not to be selected for the NBA All-Star Game, but stressed the setback would push him to stay disciplined and keep working toward his long-term goal, speaking after Houston’s 118-114 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Asked about his reaction and whether it added motivation on the night, Sengun said making the All-Star team is something he wants to keep reaching for every year, describing the omission as frustrating while also acknowledging the league’s depth of talent. “It was disappointing for me, but it happens,” he said, adding that he believes he will get there in time and that moments like this “always push me.”
Sengun linked the missed selection to renewed focus on his daily approach, saying it would make him “work harder” and stay disciplined.
He pointed to his age and the years he hopes to have ahead in the NBA, saying he expects more All-Star appearances in the future and framing the setback as something that can be used in a positive way.
When asked if he wanted to prove a point with his performance, Sengun played down the All-Star narrative and said he is focused on proving himself overall.
He noted he had not had “a good month” previously and described the game as part of a fresh start in a new month, saying he needs to stay aggressive, remember who he is, and keep playing with confidence. He underlined that he aims to dominate games and summed up his mindset with a blunt line: “go over there and kill it.”
Sengun also addressed questions about his health, after being asked about ankle issues during the season and whether he feels fully healthy. He said that around this point in the campaign “nobody feel fully” healthy, pointing to the heavy schedule that can include frequent games, back-to-backs, and travel, which can wear players down both mentally and physically.
He said the priority is to stay strong, get through to the All-Star break, and then use the short break to rest before turning attention to the second half of the season and the push toward the playoffs.
Asked whether missing the All-Star Game could be a blessing because it brings extra time off, Sengun agreed, saying the workload can add up when teams play many games in a month.
He described the job as demanding, noting the pressure that comes with being a top player and how that pressure can affect someone in different ways. He said he is still learning and continuing to change parts of his approach since arriving in the NBA, while trying to keep improving “game and game.”
Sengun also spoke about late-game offense, after being asked about Houston’s issues closing out games. He said road games can tighten up because home teams do not want to lose, and he noted that officiating can allow more physical play late.
He added that the Rockets still produced a strong scoring output overall, while pointing to missed free throws as a key issue in the closing stretch.
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