The Houston Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets 128-108, with Jalen Green scoring an impressive 34 points and 5 assists in just 29 minutes. He helped the Rockets secure their victory by the end of the third quarter. Despite the absence of Jokic and Gordon from the Nuggets, they still had Westbrook, Porter, and Murray forming a formidable trio. However, the Rockets managed to dominate the game, demonstrating their strength. The Rockets' record is now on the verge of surpassing the Boston Celtics, placing them third in the league, with only a 0.5-game difference separating them from the Celtics.
Up next, the Rockets will continue their road trip against the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers. There is a possibility that Ison could return to the lineup, which would be a significant boost for the team. With Amen Thompson already starting, White Magic has taken over Amen's previous rotation time. Ison's playing time was previously allocated to Jeff Green, but once Ison returns, it is expected that Jeff Green will struggle to find playing time. This means that with Ison back, the Rockets will become even stronger on both offense and defense, making them more formidable. Additionally, there has been a sudden explosion in Jalen Green's performance.
Since entering the year 2025, Jalen Green has been averaging an impressive 30.6 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 52%, a three-point shooting percentage of 48%, and a free-throw percentage of 94%. These statistics place him at the level of the exclusive 180 Club. It's hard to predict Green's performance sometimes; he can be inconsistent, struggling against both weak and strong teams with a shooting percentage below 40% and an average score under 20 points, with a true shooting percentage as low as 50%. However, in his recent form, Green has achieved a true shooting percentage of 68% and led the team to a 6-1 record.
In the past seven games, Jalen Green has scored 34, 42, 27, 29, 33, 27, and 22 points respectively. His scoring has escalated from 22 points, culminating in a remarkable 76 points in his last two games. Due to his recent performances, Green's season averages have risen to 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, with a shooting percentage of 43.1% and a three-point shooting percentage of 35.4%. Interestingly, Green's breakout this year seems to have come earlier than usual. In previous seasons, his peak performances typically occurred after the All-Star break, but this year, it has arrived earlier.
At the start of this season, Green's performance was also strong, with him scoring 28, 22, 29, 36, and 23 points in the first five games from October to November. However, his form then plummeted, lasting only five games. Now, Green has maintained his high level of play for seven games, and it remains to be seen how long he can sustain this streak. Coach Udoka is currently satisfied with Green's performance, having previously mentioned that Green's defensive contributions were underrated during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. After today's game, Udoka praised Green's improved ball-handling abilities.
Udoka believes that Green now deserves more ball-handling responsibilities, as he creates space for the Rockets and diverts the opponent's defensive attention, allowing his teammates to play more freely. In summary, Udoka's current stance is that it's finally time to entrust Green with more isolation plays. It was Green's recent performances that made Udoka realize the reality of the situation. Green's unpredictable displays in the past had left Udoka feeling helpless. However, Udoka is indeed a good coach, having been strict with the team since joining the Rockets.
Under Silas, Green had developed some bad habits, which Udoka has successfully rectified, even benching him on several occasions. This year, Green's progress has not been in his offensive game but in his ball-handling skills, which have significantly improved recently. His core strength has also increased. While it's uncertain how long Green can maintain his offensive prowess, his defensive capabilities are consistent. Currently, with Green playing at a superhuman level, the Rockets have the potential to match the Oklahoma City Thunder. The gap between the Rockets and the Thunder lies in the performances of Alexander and Green. With Green returning to his form from last March, the Rockets are unafraid of any opponent.