NBA Notes: Rockets, Alperen Sengun, Nuggets, Aaron Gordon, Bucks

Rockets

Alperen Sengun showed a glimpse of what could be a new dimension in his game. The Rockets big man — who made just 21 threes all of last season — knocked down 5-of-8 from deep in Tuesday’s OT loss to the Thunder.

If it’s real, it changes everything.

“It would be a game-changer,” one Western Conference scout told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, though not everyone’s convinced it will stick. What scouts are buying, though, is Sengun’s growing control of the game.

“He’s way better than I ever thought he would be,” another evaluator said. “He’s directing traffic, thinking the game at a higher level than a lot of his teammates. They know it, and they’re following his lead.”

Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet is already back around the team, just weeks after ACL surgery.

The veteran guard was spotted at practice Thursday serving in a coaching role, offering pointers to young guards Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, writes Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle.

“It’s already like the old days,” Thompson said. “He’s giving me advice. Just asking him a lot of questions, seeing how he runs the floor.”

Sheppard added that VanVleet helped him refine screening angles and pace, saying, “I’ve learned so much from him. Having him back on the court, speaking what he sees, is really special.”

A team source told the Chronicle VanVleet might even travel with the Rockets next week for their road games in Toronto and Boston.

Nuggets

Aaron Gordon did everything but win.

The veteran forward erupted for a career-high 50 points, hitting 10 three-pointers, but Denver still fell to the Warriors 137-131 in overtime Thursday night.

“They asked if I wanted the game ball,” Gordon said, per The Athletic’s Nick Friedell. “No, I don’t want the game ball. Take an L home with me? No thank you.”

Head coach David Adelman felt the same sting, though he praised Gordon’s efficiency and poise.

“AG’s a special player,” Adelman said. “He did it in a really smart way. He wasn’t forcing anything.”

Adelman also spoke with The Athletic’s Sam Amick about trying to balance continuity with evolution.

“It’d be stupid not to maintain some things that have worked,” he said. “But doing the same thing over and over won’t get us anywhere in June. We have to tweak things.”

Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr. will miss at least two games after spraining his left ankle in Milwaukee’s season-opening win over Washington.

Porter scored 10 points in nine minutes before the injury, and the team confirmed that he’ll be re-evaluated early next week.

With Porter sidelined, expect Ryan Rollins and Cole Anthony to absorb the extra minutes, starting Friday night in Toronto.