Jalen Green is facing a challenging first season with the Phoenix Suns due to a persistent hamstring injury that has limited his playing time. After appearing in only six of the 53 games this season, Green made his return to the court during Saturday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, focusing on overcoming the injury and regaining his usual form.
His main goal now is to get back to playing consistently while rebuilding confidence mentally and physically following this difficult stretch.
Early Return Shows Progress Amid Hesitation on Court
Though Green’s time on the court was brief during his recent game, logging just over 16 minutes and contributing eight points, three rebounds, and three assists, it marked a meaningful step forward. As he acknowledged,
“16 minutes is not a lot of time.”
Green admitted some hesitation remains when driving to the basket, highlighting the mental barrier caused by the injury.
“I feel myself being a little cautious with certain drives that I could have attempted. Just thinking about it, it’s something you don’t want to happen again obviously,”
he explained to reporters.
He further elaborated,
“There are times where I think about it, ‘Man, I should have drove,’ but I’m hesitant. That’s going to go out the window once I get some games under my belt and becoming unconscious and forget about it.”
Building Momentum with Upcoming Games and Gradual Trust
Green views his return to play in back-to-back games as a positive sign of recovery, with an expected appearance against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of returning to a normal rhythm despite anticipated challenges along the way.
“Just trying to get back to what’s normal for me. I know there’s going to be some bumps and bruises of course but that’s how I get back to somewhat normal. Every day just trying to work towards it and get healthier,”
he remarked.
The guard recognizes that rebuilding trust in his body will take time, saying,
“Obviously, there’s still some trust factor and trusting in everything. But that’s going to come with time, just playing and being unconscious and just forgetting about injuries. Over time, I’ll get better.”
Suns Look to Gain Ground as Green Continues Recovery
As the Suns prepare for Thursday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, the team is eager to see Green push toward a full recovery in hopes of bolstering their roster. His return adds depth as Phoenix navigates the back half of the season amidst other players also managing injuries and recovery timelines.
Green’s progress will be closely followed by fans and analysts alike, as his ability to regain form could influence the Suns’ playoff push and overall performance.
Join us in wishing Jalen Green of the @Suns a HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY! pic.twitter.com/Kvv4QcWRev
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2026
