The Rockets currently hold second place in the Western Conference with a record of 32 wins and 14 losses, thanks in large part to Şengün’s contributions. His selection marks a historic milestone as he becomes only the second Turkish player in NBA history to earn an All-Star spot, following Mehmet Okur in 2007.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün achieved a long-held goal Thursday when he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career. Şengün was announced as one of the Western Conference reserves chosen by NBA head coaches to compete in the 2025 All-Star Game on Feb.

Alperen Şengün joined the Houston Rockets at the depths of their post-Harden rebuild in the 2021 NBA draft. The 22-year-old center is now an All-Star as Houston rises up the NBA hierarchy. Şengün’s been reaching new heights this season 🚀 Alperen Şengün is an #NBAAllStar! pic.twitter.com/GfTkVUlnKv

The 76ers won’t have an NBA All-Star for the first time in eight seasons. Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey were not among the players named as Eastern Conference All-Star reserves Thursday on TNT’s NBA Tip-Off show.

The versatile guard is named to the Western Conference reserves; teammate Norman Powell is not despite averaging a team-best 24 points per game.

Here’s the full 2025 NBA All-Star roster, explained after the reserves were announced.

Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell combined for 72 points in the defeat, losing three in a row for the first time this season.

Specifically, Detroit's ability to attack the basket with ease gave the Rockets a wake-up call that their rim-protection needs to be touched up prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Showcasing this glaring weakness, the Pistons' Jalen Duren was able to take it to the Rockets' star center Alperen Şengün on both ends of the floor.

Pregame news and updates for the second game of the NBA season between the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center.

As the Eastern Conference tightens, Milwaukee may view this move as a step toward competing with heavyweights like the Celtics and Sixers. Meanwhile, Houston sees Middleton as the missing piece to elevate their offense alongside Jalen Green and Alperen ...

Joining Wembanyama as a West reserve are Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, James Harden and Alperen Şengün. The seven reserves from the East are Jaylen Brown, Pascal Siakam, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Damian Lillard and Tyler Herro, as selected by the conference’s coaches.

Fantasy hoops analyst Dan Titus examines some players who could have a bigger role down the stretch in his latest rookie report.