How going down 3-1 to the Lakers changed Alperen Sengun, Rockets for good

TL;DR

The Houston Rockets are down 3-1 in their playoff series against the Lakers, but Alperen Sengun believes this challenge has strengthened the team. Coach Ime Udoka's leadership is fostering resilience despite the odds.

Key points

Rockets are down 3-1 in playoff series against Lakers
No team has ever won after being down 3-0 in NBA history
Sengun believes the deficit has made the team stronger
Ime Udoka's leadership is fostering resilience
13 teams have erased a 3-1 deficit in NBA playoffs

Mentioned in this story

Alperen SengunIme Udoka

Houston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers

How going down 3-1 to the Lakers changed Alperen Sengun, Rockets for good originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Rockets are hanging on by a thread. Coach Ime Udoka may have avoided the NBA Playoffs sweep in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers but this does not mean that the odds are not stacked in their favor anymore. They are still down 3-1 in the series but this apparently changed Alperen Sengun in great ways that he did not fathom before.

How Sengun, Rockets got changed by 3-1 deficit to Lakers in NBA Playoffs

There is not a single team to have ever win after being down 3-0 in the NBA Playoffs. It has happened 159 times in history and being down three games usually means that the Rockets will have to pack their bags soon. If looked at the grander scheme of things, Coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets have won a single game which means they are only down 3-1 now. The sample size starts to be more favorable now since 13 teams in the NBA Playoffs have gone on to erase a deficit using this perspective.

Sengun posits that a lot of negative noise has come out of the Rockets having this large of a deficit against the Lakers. He posits that Coach Udoka and the rest of the team do not particularly care about what is said of them. Moreover, there is also feeling of being more strong than ever for the whole of the organization, via Mirin Fader of The Athletic.

Q&A

How has being down 3-1 affected Alperen Sengun's mindset?

Alperen Sengun feels that the 3-1 deficit has made him and the Rockets stronger, emphasizing a focus on resilience rather than external negativity.

What historical context surrounds NBA teams down 3-1 in playoffs?

Historically, 13 teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit in NBA playoffs, while no team has ever won after being down 3-0.

What impact has Coach Ime Udoka had on the Rockets during the playoffs?

Coach Ime Udoka has instilled a sense of strength and resilience in the Rockets, helping them to focus on their performance despite the challenging series against the Lakers.