The Houston Rockets, after three consecutive years of putridity, are on a linear path to ascent, as if a rocket has been strapped to the entire organization's back to start the 2023-24 season. While the team's free-agent signings during the offseason as well as the hiring of new head coach Ime Udoka have done wonders for the team, the stellar play of Alperen Sengun has been one of the main reasons why the Rockets have won six games in a row, including their rousing 107-104 win against Nikola Jokic and the reigning champion Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.

The Rockets have looked like a much more coherent, well-organized team, and this newfound organizational stability has brought out the best in Sengun, the third-year center out of Turkey. Compared to last season when former coach Stephen Silas brought the Turkish center off the bench for a few games, Sengun has become a more primary focal point of the Rockets' offense, which drew the seal of approval of the reigning Finals MVP.

“I think it is a good thing that they are playing a little bit more through him. I think that is going to benefit the whole organization. He is a guy who is not selfish. He wants to play for the team and he wants to pass,” Jokic said, per Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets. “The whole team is going to move when the ball is in his hands. He played really good today.”

Getting this kind of comment from the Nuggets star is a positive sign, as everything Nikola Jokic touches seems to turn to gold. And these comments from him didn't come without reason; during their Sunday night victory, Alperen Sengun dropped 23 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, working in sweet synergy with $130 million man Fred VanVleet, who put up 26 points of his own.

Sengun has clearly separated himself as the Rockets' best haul during their three-year plummet to the bottom of the standings, especially when Jalen Green is currently going through a gamut of growing pains as an inexperienced, athletic guard. And now, with the Rockets having built major confidence heading into their NBA In-Season Tournament battle against the floundering Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, only time will tell how far they can fly.