Jalen Green stays hot, scores career-high 33 points as Kings edge Rockets
Rookie guard Jalen Green scored a career-high 33 points on Friday versus Sacramento, representing his third straight game to score 30 or more points and the fifth of his young NBA career. By comparison, no other rookie from the 2021 draft class has done it more than twice.
However, despite Green’s outburst — including 6-of-14 on 3-pointers (42.9%) and 9-of-9 on free throws — it still wasn’t enough to win in a 122-117 home loss (box score) versus Sacramento. The Kings (28-49) were led by veteran forward Harrison Barnes, who scored a team-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%) and 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%).
For the Rockets (20-58), the game was arguably more important for 2022 NBA draft odds. With the loss, which was briefly disrupted in the third quarter by a bizarre streaking incident, Houston now has at least two games of separation relative to all teams except Orlando (20-58).
Beyond Green, Houston’s other statistical standouts included Kevin Porter Jr. (27 points, 11 assists, 4 steals); Garrison Mathews (22 points, 6-of-10 on 3-pointers); and rookie Usman Garuba, who had 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots. The Rockets were +12 in Garuba’s career-high 30 minutes, and -17 in the 18 minutes that he did not play.
As expected, veterans Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, and Dennis Schroder remained sidelined by the Rockets to finish the 2021-22 season, while rookie Alperen Sengun (left leg bruise) missed a second straight game.
Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.
Game highlights
Jalen Green highlights
Jalen Green joins Elvin Hayes (two 4 game streaks and two 3 game streaks) as the only other #Rockets rookie to have scored 30+ in 3 straight games. https://t.co/ZprN9pJhzv
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 2, 2022
I blame the naked guy
— Felicia Stone (@FeliciaPStone) April 2, 2022
The Rockets had a seven-point lead when the streaker ran out on the court and have been outscored 44-28 since.
This idiot might become a tanking legend. (📷 by @DaKidGowie) pic.twitter.com/qT21Q3H6wy
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 2, 2022
What's changed for Jalen Green since the All-Star break? He says taking part in All Star weekend boosted his confidence and he's in the gym at 8:00 every morning going through an entire shooting program with John Lucas
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 2, 2022
Jalen Green has now hit 145 threes this season, which brings him into a tie for 17th among rookies all-time.
He could probably get as high as 8th within the last 4 games.
Would need 15 threes to get into 8th. https://t.co/KRprKeQFil
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) April 2, 2022
Jalen Green in his last 5 games:
33 PTS | 6-14 3PT | 42.8 3P%
32 PTS | 6-14 3PT | 42.8 3P%
30 PTS | 6-15 3PT | 40.0 3P%
25 PTS | 6-11 3PT | 54.5 3P%
23 PTS | 5-10 3PT | 50.0 3P%He scored his career high tonight, and has now recorded 3 straight 30 point games ⭐️ #Rockets pic.twitter.com/xNhSeTD4A5
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) April 2, 2022
What’s next
The Rockets will wrap up a four-game homestand at Toyota Center with Sunday’s visit from Minnesota (43-34). Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. CDT.
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