Jalen Green’s Battle Against Injury and Its Impact on His Showdown with the Rockets
When the Houston Rockets made the monumental decision to trade away their franchise cornerstone, James Harden, they were not seeking a quick fix. Instead, they chose a path of rebuilding, eschewing veteran acquisitions in favor of a fresh start. The objective was clear: hit the reset button and invest in the future through the draft. This strategic pivot was centered around acquiring as many draft picks as possible, particularly those that could yield high lottery selections.
The Rockets’ decision to trade Harden bore fruit in the 2021 NBA Draft when they selected the electrifying Jalen Green, who had showcased his talent in the G League. From the onset of his high school career, Green was heralded as one of the top prospects in the nation. The Rockets viewed him as a potential superstar, willing to exercise patience in his development over immediate wins.
Building a Young Core
In addition to Green, the Rockets struck gold once more by securing Alperen Sengun with the 16th pick in the same draft. Together, Green and Sengun represented a dynamic young duo that the franchise hoped would eventually restore them to championship contention. However, after a few seasons focused on development, the Rockets were eager to shift gears and embrace a more competitive mentality.
The hiring of new head coach Ime Udoka marked a significant change, bringing in a veteran approach with strategic signings like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. This infusion of experience translated into tangible results, as the Rockets improved by an impressive 19 games. Green, in particular, flourished during the latter part of the season, earning All-Star consideration and playing a pivotal role in the Rockets’ resurgence.
A Season of Promise Cut Short
As the 2023-24 season drew to a close, Green experienced a career-defining month, especially after Sengun suffered a season-ending leg injury. Seizing the opportunity, he delivered standout performances, including a Player of the Week accolade. Although the Rockets narrowly missed the playoffs that year, their trajectory shifted dramatically the following season, as they secured a playoff berth for the first time since the Harden era.
Finishing as the second seed, optimism surrounded the team as they faced off against the Golden State Warriors, their longstanding rivals. However, the series did not unfold as the Rockets had hoped. They were eliminated in a grueling seven-game series, and Green’s struggles were evident, with only one breakout performance to his credit. As a result, the Rockets made the controversial decision to trade Green for future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. While the franchise believed this move would elevate them, Green felt a deep sense of disappointment, having considered Houston his home.
Injury Woes Keep Green on the Sidelines
The anticipation for Green’s return to face the Rockets was palpable, especially as the teams prepared for their first matchup of the season on November 24th in Phoenix. Unfortunately, Green’s hopes were dashed when he sustained a hamstring injury during the preseason that sidelined him for the initial eight games. Throughout the season, he has managed to play only a mere 30 minutes, still grappling with the same hamstring issue.
Before this season, Green had established himself as one of the few durable players in the league, playing in 186 consecutive games. His absence has been felt, especially as the Rockets and Suns have already clashed twice, with Green missing both encounters. A glimmer of hope emerged with the possibility of his return for the next matchup against the Rockets on January 5th. However, recent news revealed that he would be out for at least another two to three weeks as he continues his rehabilitation.
This means that Green will miss yet another chance to face his former team, leaving only one potential meeting on the calendar for April 7th. After an entire offseason of anticipation, he has been thwarted by injuries, and fans are left to wonder if he will finally get the opportunity to showcase his skills against the Rockets and prove they made a mistake in trading him away.
