When we last saw the Rockets and Hawks in regular-season NBA action, rookie guard Jalen Green dropped a career-high 41 points versus Atlanta in last season’s finale at Houston.
On Wednesday, the 2022-23 campaign begins with a rematch of how 2021-22 ended. For the young Rockets, their hopes of overachieving minimal expectations start with growth and development by young prospects like Green, and he’ll have an opportunity to start his year-two journey in what could be a favorable matchup.
This time, Green will have more support alongside him in the lineup — primarily in the form of prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr., drafted at No. 3 overall in the 2022 first round. Smith missed the final three preseason games for the Rockets with a sprained left ankle, but he is cleared and ready to go as the regular season begins.
The Hawks feel they’ve improved since April, as well, thanks to the offseason trade for promising young guard Dejounte Murray. On paper, Murray and Trae Young appear to comprise one of the NBA’s best backcourts. That said, Green and Kevin Porter Jr. could see this matchup as a chance to make their own statement.
“I mean, we’re one of the best backcourts in the league, too,” Green said after Tuesday’s practice in Houston.
Jalen Green was asked about going against one of the best backcourts in the league facing Atlanta:
"I mean we're one of the best backcourts in the league, too."
📺 https://t.co/uA8xpQX9MR pic.twitter.com/BispN9QWg0
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 18, 2022