Phoenix Suns Hope for a Healthy Jalen Green to Spark Post-All-Star Break Surge
PHOENIX – Jalen Green is thrilled to be back on the court. After a challenging journey, he's eager to contribute to the Phoenix Suns' success.
Green made his return against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, playing 16 minutes and scoring eight points. This marks his sixth game in a Suns uniform since the blockbuster trade with Houston, which sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets in exchange for Green, Dillon Brooks, the 2025 NBA Draft's No. 10 pick, and five second-round picks. However, injuries have been a setback for Green's progress.
A recent hip contusion exacerbated a lingering hamstring injury, causing him to miss many games. Green, who had never missed fewer than 67 games in his previous NBA seasons, expressed the struggle of being away from the sport.
"It's been the most games I've missed and time away from basketball," Green said. "I'm still working out, but not being able to play is challenging."
With the All-Star break approaching, the Suns and Green aim to leave these setbacks behind. Coach Jordan Ott wants the team to create more rim pressure and believes Green's return could be the catalyst for increased productivity in the final 29 games. Ott highlights the importance of Green's presence with big men like Oso Ighodaro and Mark Williams, emphasizing the need for better screen play.
"We're excited to see the impact," Ott said. "With Jalen, our bigs, and our offensive rebounding, we need to improve our transition and cutting."
Green's hamstring injury has been a recurring issue, and he must overcome the fear of reaggravation. He's working on building trust in his body and regaining his normal routine.
"I'm focusing on running without hesitation," Green said. "It's about trusting my body and forgetting about injuries as I play more."
Despite the challenges, Green's positive attitude and dedication to his recovery have impressed Ott. Green's support from the bench has been a new experience, and Ott believes it will benefit him now that he's back on the court.
"He's been a joy to have around," Ott noted. "Even when he wasn't playing, he was supportive of his teammates."
The timing of Green's return is ideal, as the Suns have a break before the All-Star Weekend, providing an opportunity to gradually increase his playing time without the pressure of a busy schedule. The team will face the Mavericks and Thunder before the break, giving Green a chance to get back into game shape.
"It's about starting with minutes," Ott explained. "Once he feels comfortable with his conditioning, we'll be in a better position."
