Rockets' Jalen Green Joins Elite Company Following 40-Point performance vs. Pelicans
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets' three-game winning streak ended Sunday night in a 117-107 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, but Jalen Green put on a show inside the Toyota Center.
Green finished the night scoring a game-high 40 points on 11-for-22 shooting, 4-for-9 from behind the arc and 14-for-14 from the free-throw line. He scored 27 points in the second half.
"We all know that he's [Jalen Green] a gifted scorer, and we kind of expect him to have nights like that," Kevin Porter Jr. said. "But we don't take those nights for granted because at the end of the day, it is his sophomore year, and he's shown tremendous talent, and he's going to continue to get better, and he's stronger."
Green's 40-point performance marked the fourth time he scored 40 or more points this season and the fifth of his career.
He joined an elite company following his play against the Pelicans by becoming the fourth player in league history to score 40 or more points while all of their free throws with a minimum of 10 attempts at 21 years old or younger. The other players include Michael Jordan, Devin Booker and Trae Young.
The Rockets have won five of their last nine games. Jabari Smith Jr.'s emergence may have played the most significant role in Houston's recent success, but Green has been just as valuable. Green has averaged 23.8 points on 42.3 percent shooting over the last nine.
Green credited his improved play to his strength, which has allowed him to play through contact when attacking downhill. His ability to play through physicality was displayed during the Rockets' two-game mini-series against the Pelicans.
He went to the line 20 times against the pelicans and shot 90.0 percent from the charity stripe.
"He is learning the little tricks to get to the free-throw line," coach Stephen Silas said. "He was so diligent this past summer working in the weight room. Him being able to absorb contact and understand everything that's going on shows a savvy that he is gaining."
Green's play led to a Western Conference Player of the Week nomination after leading the Rockets to a 3-1 record while averaging 26.0 points. He may have won over Sacramento Kings' forward Domantas Sabonis had his 40-point outburst against the Pelicans led to a victory.
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