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 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.

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.”

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.”

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 ...

The venue had changed, but the storyline was playing out the same as the Houston Rockets were in danger of coughing up yet another double-figure lead in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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.

It's officially trade season in the NBA. And with each passing week, it feels more likely a Jimmy Butler deal might just be the tip of an iceberg.

Houston (29-14, No. 2 in West) is the only team with wins this season over both the Thunder and Cavaliers, who are tied for the NBA’s best record.