Jalen Green’s Hamstring Recovery Continues, Suns Taking Long View with Key Guard
The Suns are continuing to play the long game with Jalen Green as he works his way back from a nagging right hamstring strain. The team announced that the fifth-year guard is progressing well in his rehab, but he’ll remain sidelined for at least another two to three weeks. He’ll be re-evaluated at that point, marking the latest checkpoint in what’s become a frustrating injury saga for both Green and Phoenix.
This isn’t a new issue-it’s been lingering since the preseason. Green first strained the hamstring during training camp, then re-aggravated it in mid-October during his ramp-up period.
The Suns held him out of the first eight games of the regular season, and when he finally made his debut in early November, he logged 23 minutes. But just two days later, disaster struck again-Green lasted only about seven minutes into his second game before the hamstring flared up once more.
That was the last time we saw him on the floor.
Since then, updates have been few and far between. The last official word came back on November 11, when the Suns announced he’d be out for four to six weeks.
Head coach Jordan Ott recently acknowledged that the team is being “pretty safe” with Green, and it’s hard to blame them. Hamstrings are notoriously tricky, and Green’s already had multiple setbacks.
The Suns are clearly prioritizing long-term health over short-term returns.
Green has been doing some on-court work, which is an encouraging sign. And if there’s a silver lining here, it’s that this kind of injury history is new territory for him.
Over his first four NBA seasons, Green was remarkably durable-he suited up for 67 games as a rookie, followed by 76 in year two, and then played the full 82-game slate in each of the last two seasons. That kind of availability is rare in today’s NBA, especially for a high-usage guard.
Phoenix acquired Green this past offseason in the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant to Houston. The Suns are betting big on his upside-he’s in the first year of a three-year, $105 million rookie extension, which includes a $36 million player option for the 2027-28 season. That’s a significant investment, and it’s clear they’re not going to rush him back just to chase a few early-season wins.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But if Green can get back to full strength-and stay there-he still has the potential to be a dynamic piece in Phoenix’s backcourt. The Suns are being cautious, and for a player they see as a core part of their future, that’s the smart play.