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Jalen Green Keeps 35YO Kevin Durant “Young” After Schooling Childhood Idol in Epic Duel

Published 03/03/2024, 8:05 AM EST

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Tonight’s Suns vs Rockets might have been one of the most interesting matches. From Bradley Beal’s ejection and Devin Booker’s sprained ankle, Phoenix had a hard time keeping it steady against the Houston Rockets. What should have been another Big 3 performance, with Beal back after missing five games due to a hamstring injury, was cut short after an altercation with Jalen Green in the third quarter. He was assessed by two techs, automatically leading to an ejection.

It could be the aftereffect of the unnecessary fight, but Green was on fire. His performance even outclassed that of Kevin Durant who accelerated his pace after Beal’s ejection. KD finished with a team-high 30 points while Jalen Green scored a game-high 34 points. Despite outscoring Durant, Green had a very positive outlook toward his opponent. Moreover, he also shared that the duo has trained together in the past.

When asked about the match and Kevin Durant, after the game ended, Jalen Green said, “I mean he gonna be in the league for a while longer. He’s an elite athlete. He’s still young. He’s going to be here for a long time. I’m going to see him for a while. Hopefully, get more workouts in the summer too.”

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Jalen Green isn’t wrong in his assessment. Kevin Durant has a career spanning 16 seasons and is still averaging 27.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 65.3 TS%. That’s a great stat line. Not to mention, KD has been a constant for the team. Out of the 60 games the Suns played this season, he’s been in 53 of them.

However, his elite performance does not come easy. Durant is widely regarded in the league as one of the most tireless workers who are dedicated to working out. Hence, it’s not hard to guess that Jalen Green chose KD as his summer workout partner.

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56 Days After Taking the Court With Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Rockets Star Jalen Green Hopeful of the Ultimate Jump: “Going to Happen”

Jalen Green had his game face on last summer

The off-season is pretty much dotted with NBA players working out and staying in shape. Green’s summer was no different. Jalen Green was also part of the U.S. Select Team training camp that was getting ready for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. So his schedule was packed. But Green was determined to make use of every second.

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The Rockets star was seen working out with Kevin Durant and Kyle Kuzma during the time. He also spent time with Devin Booker perfecting his mid-range shots and floaters. Moreover, several online videos showcase Jalen Green outclassing everyone on the court in friendly practice matches. Naturally, he is reaping all the benefits of the drills and training he engaged in with fellow NBA stars. While Green’s 38 points helped Houston win this game, he will have to keep his foot on the gas even longer to propel the Rockets out of the 12th spot in the Western Conference. Will Houston be able to make it to the playoffs in another 22 matches?

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Written by:

Geisha Pulimoottil Don

895Articles

One take at a time

Geisha, serving as an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, actively engages in the coverage of breaking news, specializing particularly in injury reports. Demonstrating a notable proficiency in beat reporting, she is currently advancing her scope to include events, focusing specifically on refining her skills in play-by-play commentary through Live Blogs. Moreover, she maintains a vigilant watch on BTS narratives, recognizing their potential to shape or disrupt the NBA landscape.
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Edited by:

Ankit Singh