Jalen Green, Rockets stun LeBron and the Lakers in overtime

 

Jalen Green, Rockets stun LeBron and the Lakers in overtime

For weeks, Jalen Green, the Rockets' prized rookie, had hinted at this. He had shown unequivocal indicators of what was conceivable, rather than just suggesting.

Green took over when the Rockets needed points late and in overtime in a duel with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Rockets soared.

Green put Houston ahead with a 13-point run to conclude the fourth quarter and start overtime. He had a career-high 32 points when he sank a game-winning 3-pointer with one minute left, and the Rockets stunned the Lakers 139-130 at Toyota Center on Wednesday night. 

By overtime, KJ Martin, Eric Gordon, and Alperen Sengun had each hit a 3-pointer in a game where the Lakers (28-37) had relied on 3-point shooting. Sengun, who started in place of Christian Wood, finished with 21 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. With Jae'Sean Tate out, Martin started and recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Porter Jr. missed out on a triple-double by two rebounds.

That was enough to overcome LeBron James' triple-double (23 points, 14 rebounds, and a season-high 12 assists) and Russell Westbrook's 30 points for the Lakers.

Green, on the other hand, won the game, in the end, scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. 

Before he flew off, the Rockets (17-49) saw a win waiting for them, a stunner within grasp, and decided to take it. To accomplish so, they'd have to go via James.

Sengun took a step back in the low post and attempted to finish over James. His shot was blocked by James.

Green took a stride ahead of Westbrook and drove to the basket. With 32.1 seconds left, James blocked his shot.

With the game knotted, the Rockets got the stops they needed to force overtime, first with a 7-footer by James and then with a deep jumper by Carmelo Anthony at the buzzer.