There were plenty of spectacular performances in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets on Saturday night. Both Kevin Durant and James Harden topped 40 points, while Eric Gordon scored 30 points in his fourth-highest scoring game of the year and Draymond Green recorded a triple-double.
The latter storyline is the most interesting in this case. Before Saturday night, the Warriors were actually undefeated (27-0) when Green posted a triple-double:
Game 3 was the first time the Warriors ever lost when Draymond recorded a triple-double.
They were 27-0 all-time. pic.twitter.com/pGyZmjZMk0
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 5, 2019
However, Green's superb all-around play was not enough to help the Warriors pull out a win, as the Rockets shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc and demolished Golden State on the glass.
This was Green's sixth playoff triple-double, with his first coming in the series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Finals. He also recorded a triple-double in Golden State's closeout win over the Clippers in the first round of these playoffs.
The former Michigan State standout has arguably been Golden State's best player during this postseason after struggling for much of the regular season. Green's numbers declined across the board in 2019, and he averaged his fewest points per game since the 2013-14 season. In the playoffs, however, Green is averaging 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists while shooting nearly 53 percent from the field (a playoff career high).
With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson ailing due to injury, Green has elevated his play to new heights. He has always been one of the most brash and confident players in the league, and he will need to remain confident with the Rockets trying to get back into the series and defend their home court.
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