The Phoenix Suns have quietly become one of the NBA's early-season surprises. After Sunday night's slate, Phoenix sits sixth in the Western Conference at 24-15, an impressive start in the first year under head coach Jordan Ott. That record has been built despite the near-total absence of offseason acquisition Jalen Green, who has logged roughly 30 total minutes across just two appearances. That could soon change.
Following Sunday's win over the Washington Wizards, Ott confirmed that the Suns expect Green to return during their upcoming six-game road trip, which opens Tuesday against the Miami Heat.
"That's the plan," Ott said, per Phoenix reporter Duane Rankin.
A long wait for a needed scorer
Green's absence has been one of the more unusual storylines of Phoenix's season. After missing the first eight games with a right hamstring injury, he made his Suns debut on Nov. 8 against the Los Angeles Clippers and immediately flashed his value. In just 23 minutes, Green scored 29 points with three assists, three rebounds, and two steals, shooting 10-of-20 from the field and 6-of-13 from three in a 115-102 win.
Two days later, however, his momentum stalled. Green re-aggravated the hamstring just seven minutes into his second appearance and has not returned since.
The injury dates back to before the preseason. Green was slated to play in Macau before tweaking the hamstring again during practice. ESPN's Shams Charania initially reported a four-to-six-week recovery timeline, which was later extended by Rankin to an additional two-to-three weeks. Green is now in that window, though clearance has remained elusive.
More: Lakers Quietly Change Game-Day Routine to Protect LeBron James
Why the timing matters for Phoenix
Phoenix has stayed afloat without Green, but his return could significantly raise the team's ceiling. The Suns face a demanding road swing that includes matchups with the Heat, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Atlanta Hawks. Adding a dynamic perimeter scorer during that stretch would help sustain their early momentum.
Green was acquired as part of the Kevin Durant trade package, alongside Dillon Brooks, who has brought defensive edge and physicality. Brooks has also contributed offensively while helping shoulder the scoring load alongside Devin Booker.
Green is in the first year of a three-year, $105.3 million extension, so any hamstring issue draws scrutiny. Still, durability has rarely been a concern. Over his first four NBA seasons, Green missed just 21 total games and played full seasons in each of the last two years. If he returns as planned, Phoenix's strong start may only be the beginning.
Newsweek