Jalen Green’s time in a Phoenix Suns uniform has been brief-just four games-but already, his presence (or lack thereof) is making waves. As the Suns gear up for Tuesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, Green is listed as questionable due to right hamstring injury management.
He exited Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks after what appeared to be a tweak of the same hamstring. While head coach Jordan Ott downplayed the severity, framing it more as precautionary maintenance than a new injury, Tuesday could offer a clearer picture of where Green really stands.
If Green can’t go, and with Devin Booker also potentially sidelined, the Suns could be without both of their primary shot creators. That’s a big hit for a team currently battling for positioning in a crowded Western Conference playoff race. Even though the Nets are dealing with their own injury issues, Phoenix can’t afford to take any matchup lightly-especially not when the margin for error is razor-thin.
Sunday’s loss to the Miami Heat was a telling example of what happens when both Green and Booker are off the floor. The Suns’ half-court offense sputtered.
Possessions dragged into late-clock isolations, shots were rushed or forced, and the flow simply wasn’t there. Without Green’s downhill burst and ability to collapse defenses, spacing shrinks and the offense becomes far too predictable.
What Green brings-rim pressure, pace, and the ability to create his own shot-doesn’t just help him score. It opens up looks for everyone else. He may only be a few games into his Suns tenure, but his impact is already evident.
Now, with a brutal stretch looming-four games in five nights-the Suns find themselves in a bit of a bind. They’d love to give Green the extra time to fully recover, but they also know how important each game is in the standings. That kind of schedule crunch can force tough decisions, especially when the team is trying to maintain momentum and build chemistry.
Still, the Suns have been consistent in preaching a long-term mindset. They know the road to the postseason is a marathon, not a sprint.
Green’s questionable tag is at least a positive sign that the injury isn’t as serious as initially feared. And while they’ll weigh all factors before making a final call, just having him close to a return is encouraging for a team that needs all hands on deck for the stretch run.