There are about twenty seconds left to play in OKC. The Thunder leads 109-108 when Jalen Green moves up the field. The Rockets' back is hot, and he gives the impression of going to the rim to look for shots or score a basket in the paint. But it is to better attract the defense to serve Jabari Smith Jr. in the corner. At this point in the match, the interior is 0 out of 3 from 3-point range, while Jalen Green is 6 out of 10. And yet, the latter serves it, and the interior puts it in!
It will not be a “game winner” since the Rockets will wait for overtime to clinch their 10th victory in a row, but in the locker room, everyone was only talking about this basket.
“It was huge! We just showed it to the team. This is our favorite action of the match” explains Ime Udoka. “We attracted four players in the paint, and we made the right pass. One guy struggled all evening, Dillon Brooks, and he made two important shots at the start of overtime when he was 1 of 9 on shots. Jabari was in trouble due to quick fouls, and he didn't hesitate to shoot. Jalen didn't hesitate to make the pass. It was a great pass, and I'm proud of them for this action. »
Jalen Green confirms that everyone got fired up when they saw the images again. “It was huge! Everybody was happy. They were celebrating, they were screaming… We fought to get this victory. »
A sign of progression and maturity
Author of 37 points, Jalen Green demonstrated that he had grown, both in creation, but also in his ability to trust his teammates. “It was hot all evening…” notes Dillon Brooks. “With three guys on him, he found a way to get the ball to Jabari on that play and then to me in crucial moments. It is a sign of maturity, of confidence. He's determined to become a complete player, and that's hard to find in the NBA. Especially for a young man like him, who has everyone on him. »
Jalen Green assures that he immediately understood that he had to serve Jabari Smith Jr, alone in the corner. “As soon as I put both feet in the racket, I knew I had to make the pass to him. I knew their game plan was to lock down the racket, and leave the others unmarked. Jabari knew it. He was wide open, and he did the right thing.”
Returning from suspension, Jabari Smith Jr. could not imagine a better scenario to make amends. “I saw him attack the racket, like he did all evening. They locked it, as best they could, and left me alone in the corner. He made the right reading, and that is the sign of maturity. This shows his progress. Jalen had confidence in me, and I had confidence in myself. »
