Jalen Green’s 36-Point Explosion Sends Suns to Playoffs
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Phoenix, AZ — Guard Jalen Green poured in 36 points and knocked down eight three-pointers on Friday night, pushing the Suns past the Warriors in the Western Conference play-in game and into a first-round series against the Thunder.
The outburst capped a frustrating season for Green, who appeared in just 32 regular-season games because of a hamstring injury first suffered in training camp. “Getting injured, coming back, getting injured again — I think it happened three or four times. It was hard,” he said after the win.
Green admitted he took special satisfaction in eliminating Golden State, the team that ousted his Houston squad in seven games a year ago during his first playoff run. After Friday’s contest he spent several minutes with Stephen Curry, whom he has worked out with since his teenage years. “He was just telling me to handle business in OKC,” Green noted. “Coming from Steph, it means a lot. He’s kind of been a mentor.”
Booker, Draymond Ejected
Devin Booker and Draymond Green were thrown out with 2:34 remaining following a prolonged verbal exchange. Booker downplayed the incident, calling it “nothing” and comparing it to childhood video-game battles with his older brother. “He’s a competitor. He loves the sport,” Booker said of Draymond.
Injury Updates
Center Mark Williams (left foot soreness) and guard Grayson Allen (left hamstring) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s Game 1 in Oklahoma City. Neither played Friday; Williams had logged 22 minutes Tuesday against Portland, while Allen has been sidelined since April 10 and was active but unused versus Golden State.
Rookie Fleming Impresses
Second-round rookie Rasheer Fleming, acquired after Phoenix traded up early in last year’s draft, is emerging as a future rotation piece. Fleming scored 16 points in his first NBA start during the regular-season finale. “For me to be able to watch and to be on the floor throughout the season, it’s been great,” he said.
Brooks Earns Playoff Bonus
The Suns’ postseason berth triggers a $1 million bonus in Dillon Brooks’ contract, an incentive previously deemed unlikely because Phoenix missed the playoffs last year.
Source: Hoops Rumors
