Jalen Green's 34-Point Performance Not Enough as Rockets Fall to Suns
Jalen Green had one of his best performances of the 2023-24 season. He scored 34 points on 7 of 17 shooting from behind the arc and added five rebounds inside the Footprint Center. Unfortunately, Green's play wasn't enough amid a 110-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns Thursday night.
The Rockets fell to 5-24 on the road and are tied with the Detroit Pistons for the league's worst record away from their home court. They also dropped their third consecutive game.
Houston had their worst shooting performance of the season, as they missed 34 of their 45 attempts from behind the arc.
Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half at Footprint Center.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Other than Green, four players scored in double-figures for the Rockets. Fred VanVleet scored 21 points while adding six rebounds and five assists. Cam Whitmore came off the bench and recorded 14 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
Jabari Smith Jr. registered his fourth consecutive double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds.
Alperen Şengün had arguably his worst game of the season. He finished with eight points, four assists and three rebounds. His night came to an early end following a minor dispute with Suns' big man Jusuf Nurkić, which resulted in his first career ejection.
Devin Booker got things going early for the Suns, which put the Rockets into an early 33-17 deficit after the first quarter. He scored 20 of his 35 points during the first quarter.
Kevin Durant added 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the win. Nurkić, who missed Friday's contest against Houston inside the Toyota Center, had a double-double performance of 16 points and 13 rebounds.
