Jalen Green leads Rockets to win in rookie battle with Evan Mobley, Cavs

Cavaliers rookie big man Evan Mobley had the best statistics, but Rockets rookie Jalen Green scored a team-high 21 points and led his team to a thrilling 115-104 victory (box score) on Wednesday night in Houston. The win snapped an 11-game home losing streak at Toyota Center.

Mobley (29 points, 12 rebounds) converted a tough 3-point play with 2:44 left to bring Cleveland within three, but Houston blitzed the Cavs with a 10-0 run over the next minute-and-a-half to close out the game. Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. each hit massive 3-pointers, and KPJ sealed the deal in his first game versus his original NBA team with an alley-oop dunk on the next trip — fittingly, off a pass from Green.

Green had a true shooting percentage of 65.1% on the night, including 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%), and he did not have any turnovers.

For both Wood (21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and Porter (16 points, 7 assists), it was a well-rounded game. Each shot 50% or better from the field, and they combined to make 6-of-12 on 3-pointers (50.0%). That was more than enough support for Green, who also had 5 rebounds and 5 assists to go with his efficient 21 points. On defense, Jae’Sean Tate had a game-high 4 steals, including two in that decisive closing run.

Green and Mobley were the headliners, since they were the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks, respectively, in the 2021 NBA draft. But another rookie — Alperen Sengun, drafted at No. 16 overall — also made a statement with 9 points (50% FG), 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, and the Rockets were +20 (best on the team) in his 25 minutes.

The 19-year-old big fared well in stretches next to Wood, with head coach Stephen Silas opting to resume that experiment versus Cleveland’s large frontcourt with Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Kevin Love.

Houston improved to 15-36 with the win, while Cleveland dropped to 31-21. With a four-game homestand complete, the Rockets hit the road on Friday for an in-state matchup at San Antonio. Until then, scroll on for highlights, postgame reaction, and analysis from Wednesday.

Highlights

Stephen Silas on ending home losing streak

Stephen Silas on Kevin Porter Jr. dagger

Stephen Silas on Alperen Sengun, Christian Wood minutes

Kevin Porter Jr. as a point guard

KPJ’s final buckets

Christian Wood on playing with Sengun

Christian Wood on wanting the ball late

Christian Wood on his teammates, fans

Kevin Porter Jr. on facing his old team

Jalen Green postgame

Jalen Green on his defense