Alperen Sengun Declares Himself Playoff Ready for 2026
Alperen Sengun reflected on his first NBA playoff series and how it shaped him. The Rockets center credited a physical battle with Draymond Green for speeding his development.
Lessons from the 2025 series
Houston’s young core experienced postseason basketball for the first time in 2025. Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason all made their playoff debuts that spring.
The Rockets pushed the Golden State Warriors to seven games. The Warriors were the seventh seed and upset the second-seeded Rockets in that first-round matchup.
Growth through physical playoff work
Sengun described the matchup with Draymond Green as eye-opening. He said the physicality taught him what to expect at the next level.
Now a two-time All-Star, Sengun emphasized the mental side of playoff basketball. He said toughness and focus will be priorities in the upcoming series.
Outlook for 2026
Sengun says he feels playoff ready for 2026. He added that he will not be passive and plans to assert himself early in the series.
Rockets coaches say the 2025 experience helped prepare their younger players. The team expects those lessons to influence rotations and matchups.
Opponents and matchup context
The Rockets meet the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Houston finished 52-30 and earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
The Lakers closed the regular season at 53-29 and hold the No. 4 seed. Deandre Ayton will be the primary matchup for Sengun on paper.
Draymond Green remains a defensive benchmark. He is a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and a known playoff enforcer.
By contrast, Ayton enters the series with a more mixed defensive reputation. Analysts see the matchup as more favorable to Houston than last year’s pairing.
Schedule and broadcast
| Game | Date | Time (Central) | Location | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles | ABC (national) |
Golden State’s veterans also remain a postseason presence. The Warriors finished the 2025-26 regular season 37-45 but still showed late-season fight.
They beat the Los Angeles Clippers in a recent play-in game. The Clippers had a winning regular-season record before that loss.
Filmogaz.com will follow the Rockets-Lakers series closely. Expect updates on lineups, adjustments, and player comments as the playoffs unfold.
