The Houston Rockets are set to face the Golden State Warriors in a series-clinching Game 7 on Sunday, aiming to complete a rare comeback after trailing 3-1. The winner will advance to play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.
Rockets center Alperen Sengun expressed confidence heading into the win-or-go-home contest at Toyota Center. His team forced Game 7 by winning Games 5 and 6 after dropping three of the first four matchups against the Warriors.
Sengun told reporters Sunday the Rockets believe their earlier losses were self-inflicted errors rather than results of being outplayed by the opposition.
"I don’t think they have beaten us yet, we have beat ourselves this series," Sengun said. "We missed free throws, easy shots."
He stated that when the team focuses on both offense and defense, they have the ability required to win.
"When we’re locked in, we were locked in defensively and offensively. We have all the talent in the world. There’s no reason for us to lose this game.”
Despite the confidence, Sengun acknowledged the challenge presented by the experienced Warriors team and their prominent players like Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
"We know it's going to be tough. They have so much more experience than us, but we're ready for it, we're going to play hard," Sengun said. "We're going to do what we do... Just go and do what we did the past two games, play hard, get the 50/50 balls, offensive rebounds and then get the win."
Sengun is coming off a strong performance in Game 6 on Friday, where he recorded 21 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. That stat line placed him alongside Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as the only players in league history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and 1.5 steals in a single postseason.
The Warriors are looking to avoid becoming another team to lose a series after holding a 3-1 lead, a difficult outcome they have experienced previously. Golden State will be without Gary Payton II for Game 7 due to illness.
The Rockets' recent success has been fueled by multiple players, including Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, complementing Sengun's efforts, particularly in controlling rebounding and interior play.
Sengun's performance throughout the series has been a focal point as the Rockets attempt to complete the comeback.
