Jalen Green Nearing Return: Suns Guard Takes a Key Step Forward
For Suns fans, the wait for Jalen Green has felt like an eternity. But after months of cautious updates and slow progress, there’s finally a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.
Green, who’s been sidelined since November 8 after re-aggravating a hamstring injury early in a game against the Clippers, appears to be inching closer to a return. According to head coach Jordan Ott, Green participated in another five-on-five session following the team’s morning shootaround.
Ott’s assessment? “Everything seemed to be good.”
That’s not a green light, but it’s definitely not a red one either. It’s the kind of update that makes you sit up, check the schedule, and wonder if Monday night in Brooklyn might be the moment we finally see Green back in uniform.
A Long Road Back
Let’s rewind for a moment. Green missed the first eight games of the season due to a hamstring issue, then returned-only to tweak it again less than seven minutes into his second game.
It was a gut punch, especially for a player who had previously been the picture of durability. Before arriving in Phoenix, Green had played in 192 straight games, including the postseason.
That kind of consistency is rare in today’s NBA, and it made his sudden absence all the more jarring.
What followed was a long, frustrating recovery process. Hamstrings are tricky-especially for a player whose game is built on speed, explosion, and quick-twitch movement.
Rush the rehab, and you risk turning a minor issue into a season-derailing one. The Suns, to their credit, have taken the cautious route.
And with a player like Green, that’s the only play that makes sense.
We still don’t know the exact grade of the injury. Grade twos typically sideline players for three to six weeks.
Grade threes can stretch into months and sometimes require surgery. This one has dragged on long enough to raise eyebrows, but the team has kept details close to the vest.
What we do know is that Green has been trending in the right direction-slowly, but steadily.
A Subtle but Significant Shift
Now, for the first time in a while, his official injury designation has changed. He’s no longer stuck in the “out indefinitely” purgatory.
That doesn’t mean he’s suiting up Monday, but it does mean he’s in the conversation. And that’s something we haven’t been able to say in over two months.
The timing of a potential return is also worth noting. Brooklyn isn’t exactly a defensive juggernaut.
They’re young, athletic, and energetic, but they don’t apply the same kind of pressure the Suns have seen on this road trip from teams like Detroit, Miami, or New York. If you’re looking for a soft landing spot to ease back into NBA action, this might be as close as it gets.
Patience Paying Off?
For a team that’s been navigating injuries and lineup changes all season, getting Green back-even in limited minutes-could be a meaningful boost. His ability to stretch the floor, attack off the dribble, and create in transition adds a dynamic layer to Phoenix’s offense that’s been missing since November.
More importantly, the Suns have played the long game here, and it looks like it might be paying off. There’s still no guarantee Green suits up Monday, or even this week, but the fact that we’re talking about it as a real possibility is a win in itself.
So now, we wait-again. But this time, it feels different.
This time, the return doesn’t feel theoretical. It feels close.