As the NBA season heads into its final stretch, the Houston Rockets, led by the dynamic Jalen Green, are mounting a serious challenge for the coveted play-in spots, sending ripples of concern through the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers camps.
Green has been nothing short of sensational as of late. His recent performance, including a season-high 42 points against the Wizards, has been a catalyst for the Rockets’ impressive six-game win streak. This surge has seen the Rockets climb to within striking distance of the play-in tournament, sitting just 2.5 games behind the Warriors and 3.5 behind the Lakers.
The Warriors and Lakers, once comfortable in their positions, now find themselves glancing over their shoulders as the Rockets’ ascent continues. With both teams having a relatively manageable schedule ahead, the pressure is on to maintain their lead over the surging Rockets, who show no signs of slowing down.
Green’s rise is particularly timely, given the absence of center Alperen Sengun due to injury. His ability to step up and fill the void has been remarkable, with averages of 27.8 points per game on 50.9% shooting, including a 44.2% success rate from beyond the arc during this stretch.
The Rockets’ late-season push adds an intriguing layer to the play-in tournament narrative, with the potential to disrupt the established order and send either the Warriors or Lakers home earlier than anticipated.
