The Houston Rockets haven't just waited around for Jalen Green to break out of his shooting slump. They stepped in, and it's made a difference that's now clear across his whole game.
Before a recent win, the team held a meeting that set expectations straight within the locker room. The message was straightforward: they needed more from Green, and not just as a scorer. What followed wasn't just a hot streak, but a noticeable change in how he handled every possession.
The difference was clear right away. Houston's 134-109 win over the Utah Jazz wasn't just about the scoreline. The team played with more discipline and energy, moving the ball better and staying locked in defensively from start to finish.
Green led by example, scoring 31 points on 13-of-22 shooting in only 22 minutes. More importantly, he had zero turnovers—a sign that his play was under control, not just another scoring outburst.
Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images
The numbers haven't dropped, but the way he's getting them has. Across his last three outings, Green is putting up 24 points per game while hitting over 52 per cent of his shots, a noticeable improvement from earlier in the season.
He spoke openly about what's changed, saying: "Be disciplined with my shot and make sure I'm always confident when I shoot it." That discipline is evident in how he's reading the floor and picking his spots, leading to fewer wasted plays.
The shift isn't limited to just one player. Houston has addressed one of its biggest weaknesses, committing just six turnovers in a recent win, while maintaining its edge on the boards.
The team has been averaging over 50 rebounds per game lately, and with stronger defensive play, they're building more success through their physical approach rather than perimeter shooting.
The coaching staff has consistently preached that Green's value doesn't hinge on his shooting numbers. His contributions on defence, movement off the ball, and attacks on the rim are what really steady the offence and lift the team's overall level.
Green highlighted the mental side of things too, mentioning his need to "get stronger" and get back to playing as he did earlier in the year. With that shift in focus, his scoring now seems more like a byproduct of his approach rather than the main objective.
The Rockets didn't just wait around for Jalen Green to start hitting shots again. They spelt out exactly what they expected from him, and once he understood that, everything else started to fall into place.
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