Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green is playing inspired basketball in March.
The third-year man willed his team to a 12-1 performance this month to keep their play-in hopes alive.
He averaged 28.5 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in that span. He never scored under 15 points in those 13 games.
He also set the record for most points by a Rocket before turning 21.
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What changed for Jalen Green? It is not because of the absence of Alfred Sengun who got injured.
Coach Ime Udoka said it is his confidence and growing basketball I.Q.
"We wanted to really increase the pace and get the threes [3-pointers] up, and all those things don't have anything to do with Alpi," said Udoka, who is in his first year with the Rockets.
"When Jalen was struggling earlier in the year, he had the same quality looks, and Jalen started to read the game better. I think they can complement each other very well."
Green also has his explanation.
To him, his resurgence is due to the upcoming birth of his first baby.
"My family, my baby, so yeah," he answered when asked by a courtside reporter about his motivation lately.
He gave a shoutout to the baby but not to the mother, leaving his fans curious.
Who is the girl behind Jalen Green's incoming fatherhood?
Jalen Green's girlfriend is 17 years his senior
The girl inspiring Green is a woman. Her name is Draya Michele, and her first claim to fame is the reality TV show Basketball Wives LA.
Green is 22 years old, and Michele turned 39 on January 23.
Their relationship is not public and is the subject of debates and criticism due to their age gap. Both of their social media accounts do not have a photo of each other.
However, Draya is a regular figure in the Rockets' home games.
Michele, who already has two children with former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick, is in the third trimester of her pregnancy.
She posted about their upcoming child during International Women's Day amid the criticisms about their relationship.
She wrote:
"We are overjoyed to share our love for you, little girl. I'm am excited to speak words to the daughter I never thought I'd have. We are anxious about your arrival, but take your time - this world can be tough. But know you are being brought into a space of love, security, and adornment. #28weeks #7months #comingMay2024 #girlmom."
When did Jalen and Draya start dating?
The two were first spotted together in August last year at a day party and near a Sugar Fish Sushi spot in Los Angeles in the same month.
The pair neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.
There is the pregnancy news now, but they remain mum about their relationship.
Draya is now focused on her pregnancy while Green tries his best to send the Rockets to a playoff appearance since James Harden's departure in 2021.
The team is in 11th place, just two games behind the Golden State Warriors for the last play-in spot.
Related article: Jalen Green Stats in March Key to Rockets' Flight: Is He Locked for Player of the Month Award
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