Clint Capela steps into the starting five as Rockets sit Alperen Sengun again—while the standings tighten
clint capela moved into Houston’s starting lineup Monday night as the Rockets again played without All-Star center Alperen Sengun, who remained sidelined by low back pain for a home matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Why was Alperen Sengun out again—and what did Ime Udoka confirm?
Sengun was at least a partial participant in Monday’s shootaround, but the Rockets still held him out, marking the second consecutive game he has missed with the same low back pain designation. Head coach Ime Udoka addressed whether anything beyond the back issue was involved, saying, “The back is the main issue right now it’s what keeping him out. ”
Houston entered the game aware of what it was missing on paper. Sengun’s per-game averages this season were listed at 20. 2 points on 50. 3% shooting, 8. 9 rebounds, and 6. 1 assists, numbers that underscore why the Rockets would prefer him available “in a perfect world. ” At the same time, the context around the decision included tracking data suggesting Sengun’s defense has slipped relative to last season, with the possibility that physical ailments could be part of the explanation. The decision to give the 23-year-old “at least a few days off” was framed as an attempt to get him right.
How did the Rockets replace Sengun—and where does Clint Capela fit?
With Sengun inactive, Udoka chose a straightforward pivot: Clint Capela at center, alongside the usual quartet of Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason. Another listing of the starters matched that group: Thompson, Eason, Durant, Smith Jr., and Capela.
For Capela, the start stood out because it has been rare this season. His lone previous start was noted as coming on Dec. 6 against the Dallas Mavericks, when he totaled eight points on 4-for-7 shooting, eight rebounds, two blocks, and one assist across 30 minutes.
Behind him, Houston’s small-ball options were identified as Dorian Finney-Smith and Jeff Green, both expected to serve as backups at center for Monday’s game.
What’s at stake vs. the Lakers, and what comes next?
Monday’s Rockets-Lakers matchup carried direct implications for the Western Conference playoff race. The teams entered tied in the loss column at 42-25 and 41-25 in a tightly packed standings picture, described as the third-fewest losses among West teams. The setup also created immediate matchup intrigue: at least initially, Capela was in line to face Lakers big man Deandre Ayton, in what was described as the first time those two have faced off since a February stretch that included “subtle (and not so subtle) digs. ”
The game was scheduled for 8: 30 p. m. Central at Toyota Center, with Houston listed at 23-8 at home this season. The teams are set to meet again Wednesday at the same time, also in Houston, and Sengun’s availability for the rematch was left open.
In the meantime, the Rockets’ immediate task was clear: navigate a high-stakes night without Sengun once more, leaning on their revised starting group built around Durant and anchored in the middle by clint capela.
