Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka made harsh statements after his team’s 95-85 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the first game of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Udoka expressed his dissatisfaction with Alperen Sengun’s performance in particular, saying, “I will never let him on the court again!” This statement raises a big question mark for both his player and the team’s future, with many debating whether this comment was a warning meant to encourage Alperen to play better or a genuine criticism.
Alperen Sengun showed an impressive performance of 26 points and 9 rebounds in the match. However, despite these numbers, coach Ime Udoka criticized the team’s overall play, saying, “Alperen gave a great performance, but we need to do more. This team needs to get contributions from every player, not just one.” Udoka’s statements were perceived as a warning to the rest of the team. Although Sengun drew attention with his effective play, it was emphasized that more teamwork was needed for the team to win.
Golden State Warriors star player Stephen Curry evaluated his team’s performance in the press conference held after the game. Curry said, “We didn’t play the way we wanted to in the first game, but we’ll be more careful in the second game,” and indicated that his team still hasn’t deviated from its championship goal. Curry’s statements signaled that the Warriors would focus and play more carefully against the Rockets. Curry’s comments sent the message that they would take the opponent seriously, without giving the impression of underestimating the opposing team or being complacent.
The Houston Rockets tied the score in Game 2 with a clear 109-94 victory. After the game, Ime Udoka emphasized that his team needs to be more aggressive in defense and offense. “We need to continue our physical style of play. It will be a great advantage for us to counter the toughness of our opponents,” he said. As the Rockets continue to develop their game strategy, it is expected that the team’s efforts to improve its overall performance will accelerate. This strategy is expected to continue for the rest of the series.
Results and Expectations
The Houston Rockets are aiming to leave the Golden State Warriors behind and are planning to take a 2-1 lead in the fourth game of the series. This game, which will be played on April 26, 2025, is of critical importance in determining the course of the series. Alperen Sengun’s contribution to the team and the team’s general harmony will be among the factors that will determine the fate of the series. In addition, under the leadership of Ime Udoka, the Rockets seem to continue to compete in the best way against their tough opponents. Udoka’s trust in young players can help the team become stronger in the future.
The Rockets’ playoff run could be a turning point that will allow not only young players but also experienced players to achieve success together. Alperen Şengün seems to continue to have an important place in the future of the Houston Rockets by playing not only individually but also as a team player at the highest level.
