With 9 points on 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), including 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%), the sophomore slump continued for second-year Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green in Sunday’s 104-96 home loss (box score) to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center.
In his previous 20 games, Green had shot just 38.9% from the field and 28.6% on 3-pointers. While the No. 2 overall draft pick from the NBA’s 2021 first round still averaged 21.2 points in 34.4 minutes per game over that time, thanks largely to high volume, the 20-year-old’s subpar efficiency slump continues to pick up steam.
The Timberwolves (20-21), who won their fourth straight game, were led Sunday by veteran guard D’Angelo Russell (22 points, 6 assists, 4-of-7 on 3-pointers) and big man Rudy Gobert, who had 18 points (66.7% FG) and 11 rebounds. Gobert held Rockets big man Alperen Sengun scoreless for the second half.
Houston (10-30) has now lost a season-high seven consecutive games and 12 of its last 13 overall.
Sengun had 18 points and 8 rebounds for the game, but all 18 came in the first half (a career high for points in a half) as Houston built a 20-point lead. With Sengun taken out of the offense, Minnesota turned Sunday’s game upside down on the Rockets.
Kevin Porter Jr. led Houston with 25 points and 5 assists on 9-of-15 shooting (60% FG) and 5-of-9 on 3-pointers (55.6%), though he and Sengun each had a game-high five turnovers, as well.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston is a four-game West Coast road trip starting Wednesday in Sacramento, with the tip set for 9 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
The #Rockets called a timeout 25 seconds into the second half. When asked about it, Stephen Silas simply said, "I didn't like how we came out."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 9, 2023
Telling quote here from Stephen Silas:
“Passes that get dropped or open shots that don’t go, we have a tendency to put our head down, we can’t allow that to get our spirits down as much as it does.”
Silas frustrated with Houston’s lack of energy and effort in the second half. pic.twitter.com/xSJ2Cxgt1v
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 9, 2023
For Rockets fans:
The numbers tells us Jalen Green is shooting unsustainably poor and is due for some regression to the mean in the 2nd half of this season.
Unlike last year, Green’s putting his head down and getting to the free throw line – which has been very encouraging.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) January 9, 2023
Jalen Green with just 9 points is the first time he's been held to single digits this season.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 9, 2023
Sengun did not scored in the second half went 0-6 and Jalen Green sent 4-15. You can’t win like that
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 9, 2023
Rockets fall 102-94 to the TWolves. They cruised in Q1 but had nothing flowing late — they scored just 15 points in the fourth quarter and only 34 in the 2nd half.
7th straight loss, 12th in their last 13 games. They've lost nine straight at Toyota Center.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 9, 2023
FINAL: Timberwolves 104, Rockets 96
Rudy Gobert shuts down Alperen Şengün (zero second-half points), Jalen Green's ugly stretch continues.
Houston's performance of late:
7 straight losses
1–12 across the last 13 games
0–9 at Toyota Center since Dec. 13— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 9, 2023
Rockets lose to Minnesota 104-96. Seven consecutive losses. Rockets were up 20 in the second quarter.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 9, 2023
Kevin Porter Jr. not big on the unwritten rules, I guess.
"I'm not sure… what that… was all about, but uh…" pic.twitter.com/eX7fEZI5ca
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 9, 2023
I asked Coach Silas do the coaching staff encourage Sengun to take the open 3 that teams always give him pic.twitter.com/pW7eY8DU3B
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 9, 2023
Spoke with Austin Rivers postgame tonight. He had plenty of thoughts on Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and the Rockets’ rebuild.
“Somebody needs to teach KPJ and Jalen how to play the right way. … They need those vets.”
Can check out the full chat tomorrow @chron
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 9, 2023
Tonight was the second time this season Jalen Green failed to attempt a free throw
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 9, 2023
Alperen Sengun tonight vs MIN
18 PTS / 8 REB@HoustonRockets @alperennsengun #Rockets pic.twitter.com/KDnooXukUv— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 9, 2023
Wolves – #Rockets Thoughts:
1. Tate playing backup PG is excellent. Play him as a guard instead of a wing or a big
2. How they played through Sengun in the first half was ideal. Then they abandoned it
3. Jabari Smith had real (and kinda fancy) flashes of creating on the ball
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 9, 2023
KJ Martin highlights vs MIN@kj__martin
🏀12 PTS🏀5-8 FG🏀5 REB🏀@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/goAi7cK1Yv— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 9, 2023
KPJ !!!!#Rockets LEAD Minnesota 81-77 in the 4th@Kevinporterjr leading the way with 20 points@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/vOw1jw44vl
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 9, 2023
👀KJ MARTIN OVER RUDY GOBERT👀
Join us for #Rockets & Timberwolves@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/oGGCK3DWHi
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 9, 2023
#Rockets highlight of the game provided by Jabari Smith Jr & Jalen Green@HoustonRockets @jabarismithjr @JalenGreen pic.twitter.com/Esq0Dzcdoy
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 9, 2023
#Rockets led by 20 in the 1st half but fall to the Timberwolves 104-96
KPJ, Sengun & Silas talked about the loss@HoustonRockets back in action Wednesday at Sacramento pic.twitter.com/RYfRr8rdtZ
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 9, 2023
