Green on Rockets' stunning win over Nuggets: 'We competed with the best in the NBA'

In Tuesday’s contest between the lowly, rebuilding Houston Rockets and the playoff bound, Western Conference leading Denver Nuggets, the Rockets gifted the fans at their last home game of the season with an enthralling upset win.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that second-year guard Jalen Green scored 32 points to lead Houston to a 124-103 win over the Nuggets, who, in turn, lost out on the opportunity to secure the West’s top seed in the upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) Playoffs. 

“That one was for H-Town,” the Rockets said about the 20th overall win of what has turned out to be another downtrodden campaign in the post-James Harden era. 

Green, the Rockets’ first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, told the AP he and his teammates worked together to end their home finale in their favor. 

“When we stay together as a team, feed off each others’ energy and just play hard, the sky’s the limit,” he said. “We competed with the best in the NBA.”

According to the AP, Green’s effort was complemented by double-digit scoring from Turkish big man Alperen Şengün, floor general Kevin Porter, Jr. and rookie forward Jabari Smith, Jr.

When it was apparent the Rockets had the game in check, they put on an impromptu dunk contest to the delight of the fans, who already have their sights on the offseason and the likely arrival of French star Victor Wembanyama in Space City.

The AP reported that Houston limited reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nikola Jokić to 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Next up for the 20-60 Rockets is a small East Coast swing to wrap up the season.

They face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday and meet the Washington Wizards on Easter for the campaign finale. 

After Sunday’s matchup, the Rockets enter another summer with hopes of getting the last ping pong ball – the No. 1 pick – in May’s NBA Draft Lottery.