Houston's offense was crowded and chaotic in Game 1, defined by its star guard's ill-advised drives at Draymond Green, the former Defensive Player of the Year. A different version of Houston's leading man emerged Wednesday from the opening possessions. The Rockets' season now is alive as a result.

Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after scoring a basket during the third quarter during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA

That first game, the lights were bright,” Jalen Green says. “But that’s part of it. I went through it and feel like I did a good job answering back.”