The Houston Rockets will have two representatives at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles after all.
On Sunday (February 8, 2026), the NBA officially announced that Alperen Şengün will replace Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) on Team World for the Rising Stars format. SGA has been ruled out through the All-Star break due to a strained abdominal muscle, creating the opening for Şengün’s well-deserved second consecutive All-Star nod.
Şengün, who was surprisingly snubbed from the initial reserves despite a career-best campaign, now gets his spot back. He joins Kevin Durant (already named a Western Conference reserve) as the Rockets’ All-Star duo.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/Stunna999_/status/2020551415253414087
Şengün’s Breakout Season Stats (44 games)
- 20.8 PPG (career high) on 49.6% FG
- 9.4 RPG
- 6.3 APG
- 1.4 SPG + 1.0 BPG
- 34.0 MPG
The 23-year-old Turkish center has evolved into one of the league’s most complete big men — a true offensive hub who can score inside, facilitate from the post/short roll, rebound at an elite level, and defend multiple positions. His inclusion as a replacement was widely viewed as overdue by analysts (NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin called him the “biggest snub” of the initial voting).
Durant’s Reaction: “Congrats 2 eight, 2x and many more to go”
Durant quickly celebrated his teammate’s selection on his Instagram story:
“Congrats 2 eight, 2x and many more to go”
The message reflects not only pride but also the genuine camaraderie that has developed between the 37-year-old veteran and Houston’s young core. Durant has repeatedly praised Şengün’s growth and basketball IQ, and the two have formed a formidable pick-and-roll/high-low tandem that has elevated the Rockets’ offense.
Rockets’ Current Standing & Upcoming Schedule
Houston improved to 32-19 with Saturday’s win over OKC (Durant’s former team) — tying the Lakers for the No. 4 seed in the West. The Rockets face a critical back-to-back before the All-Star break:
- Tuesday: vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- Wednesday: vs. Los Angeles Clippers (again)
These games will be huge for momentum heading into the break — and for Şengün to continue building his case as one of the most improved players in the league.
All-Star Weekend Details
- Rising Stars format: Team World (Şengün) vs. two U.S.-based teams in round-robin play.
- Full All-Star Game: Sunday, February 15, at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Şengün’s selection is a massive validation for a player who has quietly become one of the most complete young bigs in the NBA — and a huge boost for a Rockets team that looks like legitimate contenders in a stacked Western Conference.
Rockets fans — how excited are you for Şengün’s All-Star return? Does this feel like overdue recognition, or should he have been in from the start? And with Durant already locked in, how far do you think Houston can go this postseason? Let me know your thoughts below — All-Star Weekend just got a lot more interesting for Clutch City!