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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Takeaways: Jalen Green drops 34 points, but Rockets lack support in Phoenix

Jalen Green Rockets Devin Booker Alperen Sengun Kelly Iko Cam Whitmore Jabari Smith Jr Jock Landale Phoenix Chris A White

In the first of two straight games in the same building between the same teams, the Rockets couldn’t recapture their home form in Thursday’s 110-105 loss (box score) to the Phoenix Suns. With the loss, Houston (25-34) drops to a woeful 5-24 on the road this season.

Tari Eason remained sidelined with a lower left leg injury, and it appears quite possible that it could end his 2023-24 season. Bradley Beal and Eric Gordon were out with minor injuries for Phoenix.

The Suns lost in Houston last Friday, but led by Devin Booker, it was a very different story in Phoenix (35-24). The All-Star guard finished with a game-high 35 points on Thursday while shooting 13-of-27 from the field (48.1%), including 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%).

Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets, finishing with a team-high 34 points and 5 rebounds. Green’s shot faded as the game progressed and he shot just 10-of-27 (37.0%), though he did make 7-of-17 from 3-point range (41.2%) and all seven of his free-throw attempts.

But on the offensive end of the court, Green didn’t have enough help, and particularly not from distance. Other notable lines included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 16 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 6 points, 8 rebounds; 3-of-11 shooting (27.3%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 6 fouls, ejected; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%)
  • Cam Whitmore: 14 points, 8 rebounds; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 0-of-5 on 3-pointers

As a team, the Rockets connected on just 33-of-99 shots (33.3%) and 11-of-45 from 3-point range (24.4%) on Thursday night.

On the positive side, Houston went +12 in 10 minutes with backup center Jock Landale, who tallied 8 points (50% FG) and 6 rebounds.

Here’s our look at Thursday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Saturday’s rematch from Footprint Center is up next, with the tip at 8 p.m. Central.

Feb. 29 Rockets-Suns reaction

 

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