Jalen Green continues historic 30-point streak as Minnesota edges Houston
With an efficient 31 points and 5 assists, Rockets guard Jalen Green is now the first NBA rookie since Allen Iverson in 1997 to score at least 30 points in four consecutive games. It was not, however, enough to get Houston a win in Sunday’s 139-132 home loss (box score) to Minnesota.
The 20-year-old, who was drafted at No. 2 overall in the 2021 first round, was again electric as a shooter with 12 makes in 18 attempts (66.7%), including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%). That kept the young and rebuilding Rockets (20-59) within striking distance versus the Timberwolves (45-34), who are in strong position to soon secure a spot in the Western Conference playoffs for only the second time in 18 years.
Led by 33 points (57.1% FG) from rising star Anthony Edwards and 28 points (75%) and 11 rebounds by All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota ultimately had too much offense Sunday at Toyota Center.
Houston’s rookies, however, kept it competitive. Beyond Green, reserve guard Josh Christopher scored a career-high 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting (78.6%), including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers. Big man Alperen Sengun returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with a bruised leg and had 14 points (71.4% FG), 15 rebounds, and 4 assists.
In the end, Green and Christopher became the first pair of rookie teammates in NBA history to each score 30+ points in the same game.
Jalen Green and Josh Christopher are the FIRST pair of rookies in NBA History to have 30 points in the same game!! pic.twitter.com/TyJZEJqC8I
— ً (@arxanii) April 4, 2022
Third-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. had 21 points and a team-high 8 assists, but his 8 turnovers were costly in a game where Houston had 23 as a team. By comparison, Green had 5 assists to only 2 turnovers.
Head coach Stephen Silas was ejected in the final two minutes after a series of questionable calls helped thwart Houston’s late comeback bid. The Rockets outscored Minnesota in the fourth quarter, 40-23.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.
Game highlights
Stephen Silas: “I’m usually very good with the referees. Tonight was different.” https://t.co/9IuowFERb4
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 4, 2022
Josh Christopher on Stephen Silas getting ejected: "I've seen him heated before, for sure, but he had every reason to be upset."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 4, 2022
Stephen Silas said they stopped doubling Karl-Anthony Towns because Alperen Sengun wanted to defend him 1-on-1. “He did a pretty good job,” Silas said.
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 4, 2022
Asked what he's learned about himself this season, said Jalen Green: "That I'm a bucket."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 4, 2022
Silas praised Jalen Green's play, especially that he had "31 points on only 18 shots." He said that number of shots will be more "normal" for Jalen. The 25 shots he's gotten in other games may happen every once in awhile, but feels this is more the standard.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 4, 2022
Jalen Green has 4 straight 30-point games.
The last 2 rookies to do that?
Allen Iverson in 1997
Michael Jordan in 1985— Matt Williams (@StatsWilliams) April 4, 2022
Sengun lamented the 14 hour flights, but said he was going to talk to Tilman about using his plane or the Rockets plane https://t.co/xcaA9TT3zv
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 4, 2022
Alperen Sengun's English is coming along nicely. His translator is translating most answers, but every few, Al-P takes it himself and does really well. pic.twitter.com/qNYygER7WB
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 4, 2022
Alperen Sengun: “I’m happy right now”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 4, 2022
What’s next
The Rockets will hit the road for the final time this season, with games at Brooklyn on Tuesday night and Toronto on Friday.
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