Jalen Green said the Houston Rockets' hot streak will be meaningless if they fail to make the NBA Playoffs, after pouring in 41 points in Saturday's 147-119 rout of the Utah Jazz.
The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games – their longest since an identical run in 2019 – to improve to 35-35, going within 1.5 games of the Golden State Warriors, who currently occupy the Western Conference's final Play-In spot.
Green's second 40-point showing of the year was supported by Fred VanVleet, who scored 34 points with 10 3-pointers as Houston built a commanding first-quarter lead and never looked back.
Asked about the team's rise up the standings after the game, Green said: "It won't really mean anything if we don't make the playoffs.
"That's the goal everyone has right now. I'm just trying to go out there and be the best version of myself for my team-mates."
The start of the second quarter saw Houston forward Jabari Smith Jr. and Jazz guard Kris Dunn ejected for fighting, the duo throwing punches at one another after getting tangled up with just five seconds of the quarter played.
Smith did not speak to the media after the game, though Dunn accepted responsibility for his actions as he told reporters: "We exchanged a couple of words, a couple of pushes and the next thing you know, we're ejected.
"For me, I take responsibility for my actions and whatever the league decides for me, I have to respect that."
Rockets coach Ime Udoka suggested the incident was a follow-up to an altercation between the pair on January 20, when both were issued technical fouls in a 127-126 overtime win for Houston.
"I think Dunn hit him with a shot, and then they got wrapped up and threw a few punches," Udoka said of Smith's role in the altercation.
"Basically, nothing landed, but as soon as you throw a punch, you're going to be ejected."
Houston are back in action with another home game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, before going to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah in a two-game road stretch.
The 29-42 Jazz, meanwhile, will look to snap their five-game losing streak against the Dallas Mavericks as they open a run of three straight home games on Monday.