Before the recent All-Star break, Ime Udoka hinted at a possible replacement third-year guard Jalen Green in Houston’s starting lineup. But the Rockets head coach finally chose to stay the courseand he has reaped the rewards in Phoenix in recent days.
Green, 22, averaged 34.0 points (43.1% shooting, 44.8% 3-pointers), 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals over those two games against the Suns, which the Rockets split (and the loss was only by single digits). ). After Saturday’s victoryUdoka gave his talented but often inconsistent shooting prospect some love.
“He made some really good reads tonight and found guys wide open,” Udoka said of Jalen Green, via ClutchFans. “He’s been playing really well lately.”
Veteran guard and backcourt Fred VanVleet largely echoed Udoka’s assessment of Green’s play in recent games.
“Last game, this game, he’s finding his rhythm,” VanVleet said of Green’s recent production, per Jonathan Feigen. from the Houston Chronicle. “He was aggressive. He was guarding Bradley Beal. He takes over all the land. He got the moving screen late in the match, a crucial decision. He did everything. You have to give Jalen a lot of credit. He was huge for us tonight. He gave us that pop, playing with that confidence, and gave the rest of the team confidence.
Ime Udoka says Jalen Green has gotten better at recognizing different coverages and processing them in real time. “He made some really good reads tonight and found guys wide open,” Udoka said. “He’s been playing really well lately.” pic.twitter.com/2hDsrapMu9
– ClutchesFans (@clutchfans) March 3, 2024
Green and the Rockets (26-34) hope to continue that momentum when they return home for a pair of games Tuesday and Wednesday against San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.
Houston is 20-10 at home this season.
sleep can wait
watch @JalenGreen leave instead ???? pic.twitter.com/Lo1ZMLpqr8
-Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 3, 2024
