The first couple of games of the season had been rough outings for Jalen Green, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.
He scored nine points in each, shooting a combined 8-of-25 from the field including 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. His plus-minus of -37 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the season opener is the worst +/- by a Rockets rookie in a game in the last 20 seasons and it's also tied for the 4th worst +/- by any Rocket in that span.
Although his plus-minus was better in the ensuing game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which the Rockets won by 33, he wasn't necessarily a major factor.
Unlock live games with NBA League Pass, try it for free for 7 days
Game 3 on Sunday against the Boston Celtics, however, was a different story. In front of the Rockets fans at the Toyota Center, he showed why he was selected with the No. 2 overall pick and entertained the home faithful with a thrilling display of his talent.
Late in the game, which the visitors eventually won comfortably 107-97, the 6-foot-6 guard hammered home two vicious slams.
OH MY JALEN GREEN. pic.twitter.com/tSMmRm8u64
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 25, 2021
JALEN GREEN OH MY!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/goT8epI2me
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 25, 2021
The latter of the two dunks, which gave Green 30 points for the game, began trending for the ferocity with which he threw it down. The dunks were two of only three field goals that the rookie made from within the 3-point line as he caught fire from beyond it.
Green knocked down his first six 3-pointers in the game and finished with eight on just 10 attempts.
Jalen Green officially breaks the #Rockets rookie record with EIGHT made 3️⃣s! pic.twitter.com/ydjcHc2YB6
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 25, 2021
This performance made him the first Rockets rookie with at least 30 points and eight 3-pointers, and the first player from the 2021 Draft class to score at least 30.
Despite being selected high in the Draft, it would be safe to say that nobody expected Green to have two disastrous games to begin his career.
On the flip side, it would also be safe to say that while he might have been predicted to break multiple Rockets rookie records, nobody saw it coming in the third game of the season.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.