Rockets star Jalen Green just came off being awarded Western Conference Player of the Week. Then on Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, he was once again benched in crunch time. Green is having the best season of his career, but his inconsistency remains an issue even as the Rockets exceed expectations. Rightly or wrongly, how the Rockets perform in the playoffs may significantly affect the team’s commitment to its young star.
Rockets’ Player of the Week Jalen Green Benched In The Clutch Again
Green’s Great Week
Green’s March of 2025 was a little underwhelming compared with his March of 2024. He was saving his best for last, though, and in his final week, he became March Marvel once more. Over the week of March 24th-30th, Green averaged 28.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He scored over 30 twice (topping a Houston legend) and snagged a double-double with 11 rebounds. He joined an exclusive group during the period as well. Most importantly, Houston won all three games.
Green is unquestionably having the best season of his career in 2024-25. His three-point shooting has been a particular highlight. While 35.2% by no means puts him in the company of truly elite shooters, Green’s volume and self-creation have been vital for a sluggish Houston offense. He’s taken a career-high 8.3 three-point attempts per game this season and his 35.2% is a career high also.
Green’s Glaring Weakness
But even after a stellar start to 2025, Green is not enjoying immunity from the same inconsistency that has plagued his career so far. That continued inconsistency has further ensured he enjoys no immunity from the wrath of head coach Ime Udoka either. Green received as much in the Rockets’ 104-98 loss to the Lakers. After a 4-13 showing from the field, albeit with nine rebounds and five assists, Green was pulled from the lineup and did not return.
Green played just under five minutes in the game’s fourth quarter. In that time, he took zero shots, had one rebound, one foul, and one turnover on an attempted drive versus Austin Reaves. Green was a team-low -11 for the game. In a game the Rockets desperately wanted to win against a team still potentially in the race for the second seed, Udoka just couldn’t trust Green to get it done.
Green’s Rockets Backcourt Buddy
Fans of Green’s electric playstyle and elusive potential may wonder why Udoka has such a different approach toward Houston’s other keyguard. Houston’s starting point guard and free-throw specialist, Fred VanVleet, finished the game 2-14 from the field. He tallied those numbers over 39 minutes of playtime, leading the team in minutes despite another regrettable shooting performance from him. With VanVleet still on the floor, the Rockets would eventually lose the game courtesy of predictable LeBron James heroics.
There are a few reasons why Udoka seems to show such deference to VanVleet. They are most easily expressed, by VanVleet’s nine assists to only one turnover. Green has made major strides with his playmaking this season. Even so, VanVleet remains the team’s only reliable distributor. Houston has been essentially a .500 team without VanVleet this season.
There isn’t much evidence to say that Udoka’s reliance on VanVleet holds Green back much, either. A recent stretch saw VanVleet miss 16 of 17 games, reinjuring himself in that one exception. During that stretch, Green was hardly stellar. He averaged 19.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He had comparable turnover numbers and shooting splits to his season overall as well. There were a couple of fantastic games in there, such as a 35-point contribution to a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. But in true Green fashion, there were some galling flounders too, including nine points and four turnovers in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.
What Matters to Green and the Rockets Now
The young team has almost made it to its first postseason (and a nice payday for veteran Dillon Brooks). Despite their excellent season, the expectations are still low. The team’s dysfunctional offense seems certain to be mercilessly picked apart by postseason defense and adjustments. Even amongst those low expectations, however, there is pressure on Green, perhaps more than anyone else, to perform. If Green can show that, despite his inconsistency, he is still able to reach his intermittent heights on the biggest stage, it would go a long way to ensuring his future with the team. One big game from him could completely redirect Houston’s offseason plans.
The Last Word
The Rockets are still holding on to the second seed in the Western Conference, and the games remaining for rivals to catch up are dwindling. Their next game will be against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. After that, though, the Rockets’ brutal stretch to close the season will begin. The Rockets will play five Western Conference playoff competitors in a row, starting with the top dog Oklahoma City Thunder and including another showdown against the Lakers. Given the Rockets’ propensity for close games, Green will get plenty of chances to redeem himself. Who knows? Maybe even one day, the idea of a consistent Green won’t just be clutching at straws.
Photo credit: © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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