The Houston Rockets are led by a stout defense, a versatile supporting cast and two rising stars. But Alperen Şengün is still way ahead of Jalen Green.

The NBA announced its 2025 All-Star Game starters on Thursday, and the Rockets weren’t represented. But led by Alperen Sengun, they did receive votes.

With the Cavaliers down two points, Darius Garland, their potential All-Star guard and 90 percent free-throw shooter, sat alone at the line with the chance to give Cleveland the lead. Even if he failed to make all three free throws, Cleveland, via a Flagrant One on the Rockets, would have the ball with a chance to seal the game.

The Rockets' two top scorers have a chance to be voted into the NBA All-Star Game, recognition their teammates say both players earned. So we had them pitch it.

Alperen Sengun on how and why he’s taken an All-Star leap in Houston: “Opportunity, and Ime (Udoka) believing in me. That was the biggest reason.”

Alperen Şengün is a Turkish professional basketball player born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Turkey. He plays as a center for the Houston Rockets in the NBA and represents the Turkish national team.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun is enjoying the best ... and the Rockets are in second place in the Western Conference standings as January rolls into its second half. A big reason for ...

Which Western Conference foes might block an NBA Finals ... The Rockets have a nice collection of young talent — Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Thompson and Eason — but ...

Led by their one-two punch of Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün ... two young players to crack through that ceiling in the Western Conference. Houston currently has the fourth-best record in ...

Rockets star Alperen Sengun, asked about the potential of moves at the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline: “I love my team. I wouldn’t change anything.”

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.

The Grizzlies had three players (Jaren Jackson, Desmond Bane, and Luke Kennard) go for over 20 points and Kennard hit seven three-pointers. Ja Morant played the role of facilitator with 16 points (5-9 FG) and 13 assists to fall one dime shy of a season high. He was also active on the defensive end of the floor.