Jalen Green
Getty
Jalen Green of the Phoenix Suns has only played in two games this season.
The Phoenix Suns have shared another positive update on the recovery of Jalen Green from a hamstring injury. Green has dealt with the same issue since before training camp and has only played twice in his first season in Phoenix.
In his pregame media availability, coach Jordan Ott was asked about the latest on Green’s recovery from a strained right hamstring. Ott had some very good news, with the former No. 2 pick inching closer to making his return after taking a major step in his rehabilitation.
“He’s there. He’s progressed to playing with some players and coaches. So we’ll just keep him moving in the right direction. But he’s taking steps every day, and we’ll continue to assess. He is (playing) up and down. So that’s the final stages of this all. Being out for so long, we’re going to be as cautious as we can. But knowing that he’s itching. He’s itching to get out there,” Ott said, via Shane Young of Suns.com.
Green initially suffered the injury before training camp and was supposed to play in the preseason in Macau.
However, the 23-year-old guard re-aggravated the injury and missed the first eight games of the season. He returned on November 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, but he re-injured it again two days later in just his second game back.
Green to Start Upon Return But on Minutes Restriction
Before the game against the New York Knicks last week, coach Jordan Ott was asked by the media about Jalen Green’s minutes when he returns. Ott confirmed that Green will be a starter, but they are still unsure about his total minutes.
“He’s been out for multiple months. There’s obviously going to be some type of target range or number that we try to get him to. He’ll definitely be in the starting lineup as soon as he gets back and ready to go. We got to see exactly what that target number is. We want him healthy,” Ott said, via Duane Rankin of AZ Central.
In Green’s absence, Collin Gillespie has stepped up and has been having the best season of his career. The backup guard is averaging 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He has only started in 21 games, so he’ll likely remain part of the rotation.
When Will Green Return?
Back on January 4, coach Jordan Ott told reporters that he was expecting Jalen Green to return in about two weeks, as reported by Duane Rankin of AZ Central. That means Green could return this weekend based on Ott’s estimate.
The Phoenix Suns will be on the road on Saturday, visiting the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. With Green ramping up his workouts, it won’t be shocking if he gets cleared to return in a few days.
But with how tricky soft tissue injuries are, the Suns are going to be very cautious with him. They are unlikely to give him the green light if there’s even a hint of discomfort in his leg.
Without Green this season, the Suns are 22-16. They won the two games that he played, both against the Los Angeles Clippers. Regardless of how many minutes he plays upon his return, he’s expected to boost Phoenix’s chances of finishing in the Top 6 of the Western Conference.