The Phoenix Suns have managed to remain competitive so far this season despite missing two of their starting five in some key games. The Suns have at least seen Dillon Brooks, although Ryan Dunn has excelled in the former Houston Rocket’s absence. Brooks should be back from his groin injury soon, and if that happens, head coach Jordan Ott will have a roster headache.
Then there’s Jalen Green, the only member of the team who has yet to suit up for the franchise. The 23-year-old apparently came close to taking the field during pre-season – even making it during the trip to Macau – before seemingly aggravating his hamstring problem in China as he ramped up preparations to play.
Suns did not take into account that Green was a regular injury problem.
Part of the reason Phoenix agreed to trade Kevin Durant to the Rockets this offseason was because they felt Green had both the offensive potential and durability to play big minutes alongside Devin Booker. Before landing the deal, Green had not missed a single game in Houston over the past two regular seasons, as well as the playoffs.
Good, @StephenPG3 drew one @DuaneRankin and asked about Jalen Green’s injury status.
Jordan Ott had a good laugh about it.
“He’s just had a great response. The last few days have been productive for him. Today was a down day (on the field). So it’s a bit timed to… pic.twitter.com/er1eQyeRRP
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) November 3, 2025
Yet he has been listed as day-to-day on the injury report for two weeks now, and his continued absence is confusing. It’s understandable that the Suns want to move Green along slowly, but they’re not giving their younger players a chance to make an impact while he sits. Moreover, it is not in their interest to refuel this season.
The sudden improvement defensively means they will at least be competitive in most games, with Green alongside Booker looking the ideal option to keep the scoreboard ticking. Yet he’s still listed as someone on the verge of a comeback – he’s even been confirmed to have taken part in 5-v-5 drills – without ever actually appearing on the pitch.
As the Suns try to climb the Western Conference again, it would be helpful to have one of their best players on the court every night. There is a bright spot here, and in Green’s absence, role players like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale have stepped up. Then there’s backup point guard Collin Gillespie, who is currently breaking out.
He wouldn’t have gotten as many runs if Green was available, and he’s proven he can handle more responsibility when given the chance. The longer Groen sits, the more concerns the organization will have, and we won’t know how good they can be until they are fully healthy. Not the kind of problem the Suns had in mind when they traded for him.
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