ESPN"s Tim MacMahon has reported that there"s a possibility Houston Rockets" big man Alperen Sengun could make a return to the team during the 2023-24 regular season, despite initial concerns about his ankle injury.

“It’s within the realm of possibility that Sengun could return during the regular season," MacMahon stated. “When he got hurt – and obviously avoided a major injury – but it’s still a significant sprain of his ankle. So, we kind of assumed he’d be done for the season because they weren’t gonna have anything to play for."

Sengun has been sidelined for the Rockets" last six games due to a Grade 3 ankle sprain, with previous reports suggesting that he might miss the remainder of the season due to the injury.

However, the Rockets" recent surge in form, winning eight straight games and nine out of their last ten matchups, has put them within touching distance of the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference.

With a record of 35-35, the Rockets are now in contention for the final play-in tournament spot in the West, marking a significant improvement for the team compared to previous seasons where they landed in the lottery.

While the team must be cautious with Sengun"s return to avoid any long-term repercussions, his comeback could provide a substantial boost to the Rockets down the stretch of the season and potentially in a play-in scenario.

Throughout this season, Sengun has demonstrated impressive performance statistics, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. He"s also shown efficiency in shooting, with 53.7 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from beyond the arc, while achieving career highs in various statistical categories.

Currently, the Rockets" best chance of securing a play-in spot is by catching up to the Golden State Warriors for the No. 10 seed. While the Rockets still trail the Los Angeles Lakers by 3.5 games for the No. 9 seed, Golden State"s recent losses present an opportunity for advancement.

Despite facing a challenging schedule ahead, the Rockets remain optimistic about their chances, especially considering their recent strong performances. If they continue this momentum and Sengun returns to the lineup, they could mount a final push for a spot in the play-in tournament.