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 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.

The Grizzlies knew they needed a win against the Rockets after losing three times earlier this season. Here's how they pulled it off.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Jaren Jackson Jr. made the go-ahead free throws with 8.6 seconds left and scored 21, and the Memphis Grizzlies rallied past the Houston Rockets 120-119 on Thursday night. Luke Kennard added 21 points and Santi Aldama had 15 for Memphis, which has won six of seven.

Houston is looking to extend its four-game win streak with a victory against Memphis. Thursday's meeting is the first this season between the squads.

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

We're not quite in barrel-scrapping territory in the East ... but it's pretty close. Out West, things are more competitive.

Jaren Jackson Jr. was named a reserve for the NBA All-Star game next month. He was the only Grizzlies player who made it as Ja Morant was not selected

The Houston Rockets have been one of the pleasant surprises of the 2024-2025 NBA season, sitting as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a 32-14 record

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker was not selected as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.

At the beginning of the season, Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George were all expected to be among the players selected.