Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green sent a message to the public before going dark on social media for the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Green, 23, revealed he’s deactivating his social media and said to leave “my girl” out of it, seemingly trying to get ahead of potential narratives about his 40-year-old girlfriend, Draya Michele, who is a model and influencer.
“.. leave my girl out it I’m deactivating my s–t for playoffs,” Green wrote earlier this week on his Instagram Story, according to a screengrab that made waves on X.
The couple, who reportedly started dating in the summer of 2023, were at the center of internet buzz due to their 17-year age difference.
Green did not elaborate about the meaning behind his message.
Green and Michele, who is a “Basketball Wives LA” alum welcomed their daughter last May, and have since kept her name and identity private.
Michele has a son, Kniko, 22, and Jrue, 9, from a previous relationship with former NFL cornerback Orlando Scandrick.
Michele, who previously dated Jets QB Tyrod Taylor, and Kniko made headlines when they sat court side at Toyota Center for a Rockets-Timberwolves game last December.
Green is leaving social media to focus on the playoffs, which begin on Saturday.
The Rockets will face the Warriors in the first round and Game 1 is set for Sunday in Houston.
“This is what I’ve dreamed about since I got in the league,” Green told the Houston Chronicle this week. “Really, since I was young. But just last year, seeing the vision, this is what I’ve been dreaming about. So everything’s been a lot more serious.”
Green, the Rockets’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft and the team’s leading scorer (21.0 points per game), helped Houston end its playoff drought since the 2018-19 season.
Although the Rockets can pose a serious threat to Golden State, their lack of playoff experience is a problem.
Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks are the only two players in Houston’s starting five who’ve competed in the postseason.
Warriors veterans Steph Curry and Draymond Green won four NBA championships together.