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Following the Houston Rockets’ 120-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, fans praised 22-year-old Jalen Green for his electrifying performance, scoring a career-high 42 points.
In addition to Green’s 42 points, he contributed three rebounds and four assists and shot an efficient 13-of-18 from the field and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks had a quieter outing, finishing with nine points, five rebounds and two assists.
On the other hand, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 29 points, four assists and four steals, shooting 11-of-24 from the field in the loss. Rookie Zach Edey struggled offensively, recording just two points and seven rebounds, with just one on the offensive glass.
With the win, the Rockets improved to 26-12 on the season, while the Grizzlies fell to 25-15, snapping their two-game losing streak to the Rockets this season.
Fans flooded social media with praise for Green’s outstanding performance on Monday night:
Don Dougan @don_dougan
Players know it. The coaches know that.
I tell you all. Stop giving any of these national “podcast analysts” more validity than they deserve.
They simply don’t see whole games.
It’s been clear for a while now that Jalen Green has become a winning player. pic.twitter.com/UCwlC7wCcu
Underdog NBA @Underdog__NBA
Jalen Green in win over Grizzlies:
42 PTS (ties career high)
13-18 FG
5-6 3PT
The Rockets are now 7-0 this season when he goes for 30+.pic.twitter.com/72TcPizN1q
jeff @DedicationHoops
jalen green with the best game of his career, amen masterclass down the stretch and we are 3-0 against the 3 seed. wow
Morant started the scoring for both teams, knocking down a 26-foot three-pointer just 15 seconds into the game, followed by his own Desmond Bane three-pointer as the Grizzlies grabbed a quick 6-0 lead.
On the other end, Green scored 11 points from the field in the first quarter to help keep the Rockets in the game even though they trailed 30-23 after the opening period.
The Rockets broke out in the second quarter, outscoring Memphis 31-24 thanks to Cam Whitmore, who scored 10 points in the period to get Houston back in the game. Despite the Rockets’ surge, the Grizzlies held a narrow 60-57 lead heading into halftime.
The third quarter proved to be a tough battle as the two teams traded baskets back and forth, led by Memphis’ Bane, who posted 14 points from the field.
Tensions flared between Brooks and his former team in the third quarter when Bane pressured Brooks when Jaren Jackson Jr. shot a free throw. The altercation sparked a series of chippy exchanges, ultimately resulting in a technical foul on Bane.
Memphis entered the fourth quarter with a 92-87 lead, but Houston kept the pressure on and outscored the Grizzlies in the final frame. A layup by Green with 33.1 seconds left gave Houston a 116-115 lead, ultimately giving the Rockets the win.
On Wednesday, the Rockets will face the Denver Nuggets on the road.
