Rockets' Stephen Silas Expects Jalen Green To Have Similar Growth As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

When looking at the success of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas believes Jalen Green will experience a similar growth in his development.

HOUSTON — Jalen Green will not be available for the Houston Rockets contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday night. But as he watches from the sidelines of the Toyota Center, Green will have a chance to study Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's growth from afar.

Gilgeous-Alexander is in the midst of a career year. He scored 31 points in the Thunder's previous game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday and is currently fifth in the league in scoring averaging 30.9 points.

Coach Stephen Silas described Gilgeous-Alexander's ceiling as a potential top-10 player. And given the similarities in their playstyles, Silas believes Green can experience the same growth as SGA.

"This is year five for Gilgeous-Alexander," Silas said. "Things can change once a player gets stronger and find areas of his game where they can attack. And that will happen with Jalen for sure."

Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring has increased each year he has been in the league. He is averaging 6.4 more points when compared to last season. But Silas has been more impressed with his growth as the Thunder's tone-setter on both ends of the court.

Silas said Gilgeous-Alexander's approach has helped build the Thunder's confidence, which has played a role in Oklahoma City establishing itself as the league's most surprising team.

"The way SGA plays, there is a swagger that comes along for not just him, but for the rest of the group," Silas said. "He is the one player who scores most of the points and puts so much pressure on the defense. Those other guys benefit as a result of playing with him."

Green will miss his second consecutive game due to a right calf contusion sustained against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

In their previous meeting, Green led the Rockets to a 118-105 victory over the Thunder with 28 points on Nov. 26. Gilgeous-Alexander added a game-high 32 points in the loss.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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