Jalen Green
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Jalen Green of the Phoenix Suns have been plagued by injuries this season.
For the third straight game since suffering a bad fall, Jalen Green remained on the sidelines for the Phoenix Suns. Green was ruled out in the Suns’ tough loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
After being initially listed as questionable, the Suns downgraded Green to out before tip-off. He was on the bench with Devin Booker, who was also sidelined due to a sprained right ankle.
Green’s injury was listed as management for his right hamstring and a left hip contusion. He fell hard on his back on January 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was also his first game since another three-game absence due to discomfort in his right hamstring.
The former No. 2 pick has re-aggravated his right hamstring multiple times since training camp. The issue has limited him to just five games this season, his first year in Phoenix.
Jordan Ott Clarifies Green’s Injury
In the third quarter of the Suns’ game versus the Cavaliers, Jalen Green battled Jarrett Allen for the rebound. He caught his leg on Allen, which caused him to lose his balance and fall hard on his back. He was able to play for the rest of the game, but he was in clear discomfort.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday before the Warriors game, coach Jordan Ott shared the latest update on Green’s injury.
“It’s still that hip,” Ott said, via Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “It’s just the soreness in the hip, and we got to make sure when he’s running at full speed that nothing is out of whack to where it affects the hamstring because he’s coming off the hamstring. Just being smart with it.”
The Suns have been very cautious with Green’s hamstring due to multiple recurrences since September. If his hip injury is causing problems with his right hamstring, the franchise wants him to be fully healthy before clearing him to return.
Suns Doing Well Without Green
Not a lot of people gave the Suns a chance at the start of the season. They waived Bradley Beal, who signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, and they traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets as part of a historic seven-player deal.
The Suns acquired Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Khaman Maluach. Brooks has been a revelation, while Maluach has spent time in the NBA G League. The young big man has only appeared in 22 games, playing in garbage time.
Green, on the other hand, has been limited to just five games due to his hamstring issues. Despite his extended absences, the Suns have been able to play like a playoff contender in a loaded Western Conference.
Devin Booker has been named an All-Star, averaging 25.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. Brooks is having the best season of his career, putting up 21.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Another player who has stepped up in Green’s absence is Collin Gillespie, who is averaging 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
The Suns are seventh in the West at 31-21, but they are just two games behind the Denver Nuggets for a Top 3 spot in the West standings.