Jalen Green Criticized After Game 7 Loss to Warriors

🏀 Introduction: Rockets' Playoff Hopes Dashed

The Houston Rockets' 2025 playoff journey concluded with a 103-89 defeat to the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the Western Conference First Round. While the team showcased resilience by forcing a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in the series, the final game highlighted significant shortcomings, particularly in the performance of shooting guard Jalen Green.ABC13 Houston

📊 Game 7 Overview: Key Statistics

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%	3P%	Minutes
Jalen Green	8	4	1	37.5%	0.0%	30
Amen Thompson	24	9	3	50.0%	33.3%	35
Alperen Şengün	21	14	5	40.0%	25.0%	38
Buddy Hield	33	5	2	81.8%	81.8%	34
Stephen Curry	22	10	7	45.0%	38.5%	36

Sources: DraftKings, AP News

📉 Jalen Green's Underperformance

Jalen Green, who averaged 21 points during the regular season, struggled throughout the playoff series, culminating in an 8-point performance in Game 7. His shooting woes were evident, with a 0% success rate from beyond the arc and a 37.5% field goal percentage. This marked his sixth single-digit scoring game in the series, raising concerns about his consistency under playoff pressure.DraftKings Network+3SFGATE+3Houston Chronicle+3Houston Chronicle

Analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal criticized Green's performance, emphasizing the need for him to elevate his game during crucial moments. Green acknowledged the criticism, stating, "I gotta be better... First playoffs isn't an excuse." Chron

💬 Social Media Backlash

Fans expressed their disappointment on social media platforms, pointing out Green's lackluster performance. One Reddit user commented, "If Jalen Green was even playing like at least 40% of his usual self, Rockets would've taken this series easily." Reddit

The criticism intensified due to a prior altercation between Green and Warriors veteran Draymond Green. After a Game 3 scuffle, Jalen Green dismissed Draymond's impact, stating all he could do was "talk." However, Draymond outperformed Jalen in subsequent games, including a 16-point contribution in Game 7. SFGATE

🔍 Comparative Performance: Green vs. Draymond

Player	Series Points	FG%	3P%	Assists	Rebounds	Game 7 Points
Jalen Green	39	35.0%	20.0%	2.0	3.5	8
Draymond Green	37	50.0%	35.0%	5.0	5.0	16

Note: Statistics are approximated based on available data.

🧠 Expert Analysis

Basketball analyst Kenny Smith suggested that the Rockets' defensive strategies, particularly their focus on Stephen Curry, allowed other Warriors players like Buddy Hield to capitalize, leading to Houston's downfall. Chron

Former NBA player Jamal Crawford criticized the Rockets for not adapting their defense early in the game, stating, "In my opinion, the Rockets messed up not coming right out in the zone, and allowed the Warriors to get somewhat comfortable." SI

📈 Rockets' Season Recap

Despite the disappointing playoff exit, the Rockets showed significant improvement this season, securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The emergence of young talents like Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün provides a promising outlook for the franchise's future. ABC13 HoustonHouston Chronicle+1ABC13 Houston+1

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What were Jalen Green's overall stats in the playoff series?A: Green averaged approximately 13.3 points per game, a decline from his regular-season average of 21 points.

Q: How did Buddy Hield perform in Game 7?A: Hield scored 33 points, hitting 9 of 11 three-pointers, setting a Game 7 record. AP News+2Houston Chronicle+2ABC13 Houston+2

Q: What's next for the Rockets?A: The Rockets will focus on the offseason, aiming to build upon their young core and address areas of improvement for the next season.

Jalen Green's performance in Game 7 has sparked widespread criticism, highlighting the pressures young players face in high-stakes playoff scenarios. As the Rockets look ahead, the development and resilience of their emerging stars will be crucial for future success.

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