PHOENIX — Prior to sitting out the Suns’ final game before the All-Star break for injury management, Jalen Green saw his most significant two-game playing time (37 minutes) since joining the Phoenix team.
He averaged 10 points and 3.5 assists in those two matchups, which is less than his expected output at full health, but accumulating those minutes in back-to-back games marked a step forward after his previous struggles to complete a second game following any return to the court during what had become a difficult recovery journey.
Suns general manager Brian Gregory highlighted the timing of the All-Star break, combined with his recent court time, as key reasons why Green is “in a favorable position heading into the final 27 games.”
“The league has demonstrated that with soft tissue injuries, progress is rarely linear,” Gregory stated on Wednesday. “He’s 23 years old and has a very promising future with us, and we want to ensure everything is optimally aligned not just for Game 1, but also for Game 20, and indeed for his entire career.”
“His dedication to work has met every expectation, and I believe he’s now ready to go.”
Green had been grappling with a hamstring injury, which he first reaggravated during preseason training camp, and then again in his second game as a Sun. He was sidelined for two and a half months before reaggravating the issue once more in his second game back.
Upon his third return to play, he sustained a hip contusion from a hard fall. Both the hip and hamstring were noted on the injury report before his subsequent return, which included the two games he played before the break. Only the hamstring was cited for the final game he missed.
Regarding Green’s performance alongside Devin Booker, intended to be an All-Star caliber backcourt once they find their rhythm, the Suns boast a net rating of +20 in the 59 minutes they’ve shared on the court. Among more than 130 two-player Phoenix combinations, only two exhibit a superior net rating over a comparable minute total.
While acknowledging the limited data, Gregory expressed considerable satisfaction with their dynamic.
“His explosiveness, his ability to drive to the basket, his court vision – I believe those two players together will form one of the premier backcourts, if not the best in the NBA, as we advance, especially in the long run as they play more and develop a stronger rapport,” Gregory explained.
“He brings many qualities that, at times, we’ve been missing. So, I anticipate his integration will be exceptionally beneficial.”
The Suns GM also commended Green for maintaining his engagement even when sidelined, actively discussing strategies with coaches in a manner not always seen from players in similar situations.
Phoenix’s initial game following the All-Star break is scheduled for Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs, currently the second seed in the Western Conference. The Suns are positioned at No. 7, with 1.5 games separating them from the No. 6 spot (potentially avoiding the Play-In Tournament) and maintaining a three-game advantage over No. 8.
