The New Orleans Pelicans got some revenge on the Rockets in Sunday’s 117-107 final (box score) at Toyota Center. But within the context of Houston’s obvious rebuilding movement, there were more positive signs from one of their most promising prospects.
Second-year Rockets guard Jalen Green finished with the fifth 40+ point game of his young NBA career (and his fourth since January), and he did it on strong efficiency — scoring 40 on 11-of-22 shooting (50.0%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%), and 14-of-14 on free throws.
Backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. was strong for the Rockets, as well, with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%) and 3-of-9 from 3-point range (33.3%).
For both teams, it was an immediate rematch in the same arena of Friday’s buzzer-beating thriller, which rookie Jabari Smith Jr. salvaged for the host Rockets with only 0.4 seconds left.
On Sunday, however, Smith struggled, scoring just 8 points in the rematch on 2-of-10 shooting (20.0%) and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Second-year center Alperen Sengun had some struggles, as well, finishing with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists but shooting just 3-of-8 from the field (37.5%) while fouling out in 31 minutes.
Veteran stars Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum each scored 26 points on 50% shooting, while big man Jonas Valanciunas had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ingram also dished out 9 assists on a night when the Pelicans were sharp from 3-point range, making 13-of-31 (41.9%). By contrast, Houston shot just 9-of-33 from deep (27.3%).
The Rockets fell to 18-53 with the loss, and they remain in last place in the Western Conference. The Pelicans improved to 34-37 and remain in contention for a potential berth in the West’s play-in tournament, which would give them a chance to make the playoffs.
Next up for the Rockets is defending NBA champion Golden State, which visits Houston on Monday to wrap up a six-game homestand at Toyota Center. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central. Until then, here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights, analysis, postgame interviews, and more.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Jalen Green was amazing tonight, dropping 40 points on 71 TS%, but the rest of the team struggled, shooting 20-54 FG & 5-24 3PT.
Porter Jr also scored well with 25 on 67.5 TS%, but a 16 point 2nd quarter killed the Rockets. Back again tomorrow
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 20, 2023
Jalen Green now has 5 career 40 point games.
That’s tied for the 9th most all time for players 21 or younger in NBA History. pic.twitter.com/ldArHBfsVu
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 20, 2023
Jalen just had 40 on 52/44/100 splits
This will feed families for the rest of the season
14/14 from the line
Unreal
The future is so bright
Good night 😌 #Rockets
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) March 20, 2023
Sure: One guy was blowing by people on the perimeter and the other was shooting low block 2 ft fadeaways lol https://t.co/BD5MZUwIIc
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) March 20, 2023
Green and Porter 7 of 18 on 3s. Rest of Rockets 1 of 14. Tough to overcome.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 20, 2023
Stephen Silas said he told Alperen Sengun that tonight was his best defensive performance of the season, despite fouling out in the fourth quarter.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 20, 2023
4⃣0⃣ POINTS TONIGHT FOR JALEN GREEN@JalenGreen vs NOP
🏀11-22 FG🏀4 3'S🏀14-14 FT🏀@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/zH4oLL5UmG— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 20, 2023
Jalen Green lit up Herb Jones like a Christmas tree I see
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) March 20, 2023
Even though the Rockets lost they still managed to make somewhat of a game out of these despite struggling for most of the night, they made the Pelicans work for a game they badly needed
— Abel (@AbelGe87) March 20, 2023
Jalen Green on a team with + shooting gonna be crazy
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) March 20, 2023
Most 40-Point Games by a player from the 2021 Draft Class:
5 — Jalen Green (including tonight)
3 — Cam ThomasNo one else has more than 1. pic.twitter.com/U7d57oL7IU
— NBA World (@NBAMuse24) March 20, 2023
Jalen was spectacular tonight, just didn't get enough help
— Abel (@AbelGe87) March 20, 2023
Jalen Green has his 4th 40-point game since January
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) March 20, 2023
jalen green tonight:
40 points
4 rebounds
50% FG (11-22)
44% 3P (4-9)
100% FT (14-14)with herb jones and trey murphy as his primary defenders 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/q96i9rvwvV
— jeff (@retrojeffhoops) March 20, 2023
#Rockets win streak ends at 3 after a 117-107 loss to the Pelicans@HoustonRockets head coach Stephen Silas talked the loss & what he saw from Sengun tonight in his battle with Valančiūnas pic.twitter.com/ZBROtz4U7t
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 20, 2023
Jalen Green 40 points tonight including a perfect 14-14 from the FT line
Jalen & KPJ had this reaction after the game#Rockets @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/G7cXbRGtM9
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 20, 2023
KPJ tonight vs New Orleans
🚀25 PTS🚀5 REB🚀4 AST🚀@HoustonRockets #Rockets @Kevinporterjr pic.twitter.com/GKHAoF8TXy— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 20, 2023
