Rockets 2023-24 Review: Jalen Green Resiliency Leads to Late-Season Surge

Houston Rockets' Jalen Green had his share of struggles during the first half of his third year, but a late-season surge showcased his potential as an all-around player.

Mar 23, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after a made basket / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON -- When Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was trying to orchestrate a plan to slow down the streaking Houston Rockets, the Hall-of-Fame point guard came up with a simple solution, "take the ball out of Jalen Green's hands."

At the time, Green was on a hot streak, averaging 30.2 points on .504/.450/.745 shooting splits. His contributions had the Rockets riding an 11-game winning streak — their longest since the 2017-18 season.

Kidd understood slowing down the third-year guard was going to be a daunting task. But by the end of the final buzzer inside the Toyota Center on March 31, Kidd's defensive scheme worked in favor of the Mavericks.

Dallas extended their respective winning streak to seven amid the Rockets' 125-107 loss to the Mavericks, where Green finished with 12 points on 5 of 15 shooting.

"The team accepted that challenge," Kidd said. "He's playing at a very high level. We tried to throw as many bodies and different schemes at him to keep him off rhythm. For our group to hold him to 12 points, you have to tip your hat. Our guys were focused and locked-in on what they had to do."

“Seeing his maturity. Seeing his acension…Answering all the naysayers.”

After the game, asked Mavs’ star Kyrie Irving about Jalen Green’s growth since the All-Star break. Irving has always been fond of Green since high school. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/vdShsP0S5A

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) April 1, 2024

The attention Green warranted was a testament to his considerable play in March, where he averaged 28.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while leading the Rockets to a 13-2 record.

Green's contributions warranted Western Conference Player of the Month honors. It was a recognition that once appeared impractical before the All-Star break, but his late-season surge displayed how Green overcame his early season struggles.

"It was like a rollercoaster," Green said. "There were a lot of highs and a lot of low moments. I stuck it out and found who I am. I had to break some habits — still, up until the last game. I think I figured it out and have a good carry over for next season."

Coach Ime Udoka always raved about Green's scoring. But after he took over as Houston's head coach in April, he challenged Green to impact the game beyond accumulating the most points.

He pushed Green the hardest, and his demands led to several low moments. Green's struggles led to 11 games of scoring 10 points or less, and each moment resulted in a premature benching.

An embarrassing eight-point loss to the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 8 may have been the lowest moment of the season for Green. He finished the game with four points on 2 of 7 shooting, and his subpar play left Udoka considering a lineup change after the All-Star break.

Fortunately for Green, Udoka opted to stand pat. His confidence aided Green in his late-season surge. Green averaged 22.8 points on 44.1 percent shooting during the final 28 games while showcasing his promise as an all-around player. He increased his play on the defensive end, and as one of the Rockets' top ball-handlers, Green improved as a facilitator.

His best game of the season came amid the Rockets' 132-126 overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 27. Inside the Paycom Center, Green led the Rockets with 37 points on 58.3 percent shooting from the field, 63.6 percent from behind the arc, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault began to double-team Green in the fourth quarter after he scored 27 points during the first three periods. Daigneault's decision led to Green relying upon his playmaking, where he recorded six of his seven assists between the fourth and overtime periods.

With 29.0 seconds left in regulation, Green attacked downhill, compelling the Thunder's defense to collapse. His read led to Jabari Smith Jr. nailing an open triple to put the Rockets ahead by one.

"He has been great," Udoka said. "He has been impressive. It did not go unnoticed with the strives he had taken, from the offensive reads to defensively. He has taken big leaps this year. As much as it hurts to go through it at times, you can see his growth throughout the season."

Kidd's defensive schemes came four days after Green's proficient performance against the Thunder. His strategy gave opponents a blueprint to maintain Green during the final eight games, where he averaged 16.6 points on 37.9 percent shooting, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists.

Although his play took a slight dip, Udoka believes Green made "tremendous" growth and is "very proud" that his young guard stayed resilient during his early season struggles.

Green's development was one of several silver linings for Udoka amid his first non-postseason appearance. Green has a solid foundation to build upon this off-season. But ahead of his fourth year, Udoka has challenged Green to "do it earlier" in hopes of the Rockets reaching their playoff aspirations next season.