Things got heated between former Houston Rockets teammates Amen Thompson and Jalen Green on Tuesday.
Green, who now plays for the Phoenix Suns, was called for an offensive foul for grabbing Thompson’s jersey early in the first quarter. It set the tone for the rest of the night, as both teams were very physical against each other.
Emotions were high since it wasn’t just Green’s first game against his former team. It was also Kevin Durant‘s first game in Phoenix since he was traded to Houston last season.
Green and Thompson Got Into Another Scuffle in the Third Quarter
Just when it looked like things were going to settle down, Green and Thompson got into it again midway through the third quarter.
Thompson got the steal after Devin Booker lost the ball, leading to a fastbreak attempt. He was fouled by Green, who got into his face, which prompted the Rockets star to talk some trash.
“Don’t talk,” Thompson said. “I’m on you, boy. I’m on you.”
Thompson was indeed on Green the entire night. He locked down his former teammate, who finished with just 15 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Green did have four blocks, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Rockets’ 119-105 win.
The Suns built an early 21-point lead, but they easily squandered it in the second half. The game was tight in the third quarter before a dominant final period for the Rockets.
Thompson had 22 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals, while Durant added 24 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Rockets extended their winning streak to seven, with three games left in the regular season.
Green Comments on Scuffle With Thompson
Speaking to reporters after the game, Green was asked about his feelings on facing his former team and getting into it with Thompson. He has nothing but love for his ex-teammate, but when they are on the court, things are different.
“We get out there first play, me and Amen getting into it,” Green said, via The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin. “Everybody talking to (Dillon Brooks), (Jae’Sean) Tate and Dorian (Finney-Smith), everybody’s talking. We all brothers at the end of the day, but when you step in the line, it’s war. So it’s good.”
Green and Brooks arrived in Phoenix this offseason in exchange for Durant. They helped the Rockets reach the playoffs last year, but they came up short in the first round against the Golden State Warriors.
Green’s Rockets Career
The Rockets selected Green with the number two pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He had a pretty good four years in Houston, putting up 20.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He starred in his role as a starter and off the bench, but the Rockets felt that they needed a proven scorer to reach the next level.
That’s why they went and got Durant from the Suns. The Rockets are likely to finish fourth in the West, while Phoenix will be in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Suns will have two chances at most to make the postseason.
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