Phoenix Suns combo guard Jalen Green was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain Nov. 11 and hasn't returned since. We'll break down the injury and potential return dates in this article.
Green, a 23-year-old volume scorer, was traded from Houston to Phoenix during the offseason in the Kevin Durant trade, and fans are hoping the change of scenery will spark a very productive career moving forward.
Without Green, the Suns have greatly exceeded expectations. Devin Booker has been his usual self, scoring efficiently with a high volume of shots. Dillon Brooks, who arrived alongside Green in the trade, is having a career year, averaging a career-high 21.2 points per game while shooting 35.6% from three.
Collin Gillespie has made the most out of his extended minutes with Green out, averaging 13.2 points per game and shooting 40.8% from three on seven attempts per game.
However, it's the tremendous defense instilled by first-year head coach Jordan Ott that has these Suns 24-15 in the tough Western Conference. Phoenix ranks sixth in the NBA with a 111.9 defensive rating. Adding Green will help out the offense that ranks 14th in offensive rating (114.6).
Unfortunately for new Sun, he's only played a game and a half this year. The right hamstring held him out of the first eight games of the season, and after re-aggravating it, he's been out for more than two months.
Green scored 29 points in 20 minutes in his first showing of the season on Nov. 6, but managed to only play seven minutes before being ruled out for the rest of the game on Nov. 8.
Let's try to figure out a timeline for when he could take the court next:
Potential Return
On Jan. 12, Duane Rankin of azcentral.com reported that Ott is "hopeful Green returns during a six-game road trip that begins in Miami." Rankin also reported that the guard went through a pregame workout before the Jan. 11 game against the Washington Wizards.
It's a terrific update for Suns fans after there wasn't much news surrounding his recovery beforehand. Expect Green to receive a "doubtful" designation for the games moving forward before the Suns announce his return.
Here's a look at the six game road trip coming up:
Suns Road Trip
Date | Away Team | Home Team |
Jan. 13 | Phoenix Suns | Miami Heat |
Jan. 15 | Phoenix Suns | Detroit Pistons |
Jan. 17 | Phoenix Suns | New York Knicks |
Jan. 19 | Phoenix Suns | Brooklyn Nets |
Jan. 20 | Phoenix Suns | Philadelphia 76ers |
Jan. 23 | Phoenix Suns | Atlanta Hawks |
January 20th seems like a perfect time for Green to return. He would avoid being part of the first leg of a back-to-back on Jan. 19, provide a spark for a team with tired legs, and then get a few days of recovery before the Jan. 23 game at Atlanta.
Read the latest NBA news on site.
Alperen Sengun's and Jalen Duren's injury update articles.
