The trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston and brought Jalen Green to Phoenix was one of the most talked-about moves of the offseason. But after a hamstring injury delayed his start, the question remained: Did the Suns make the right call? On Thursday night, Green delivered an explosive answer that has the league buzzing and Phoenix fans dreaming of a championship.
How Did Jalen Green Perform in His Suns Debut?
On Thursday night, Green made his long-awaited debut for the Phoenix Suns, leading the team to a 115–102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The 23-year-old guard was electric, scoring 29 points and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. His performance included a new franchise record for the most three-pointers made in a debut, as he finished with a 6-for-13 stat line from beyond the arc.
Furthermore, Green’s 29 points in just 23 minutes made him the second-highest scorer in a Suns debut. This feat placed him second only to Charles Barkley’s 37-point performance in November 1992. The explosive debut provided a much-needed spark for Phoenix.
This situation was especially significant considering Green’s path to the court. The guard, who was traded by the Houston Rockets for Kevin Durant, missed the first eight games of the 2025-26 season with a right hamstring strain. The Suns struggled to a 3-5 record without him, but his return immediately improved their record to 4-5.
What Did Green Say About Playing with Devin Booker?
After the game, the conversation naturally turned to his on-court chemistry with Devin Booker, a cornerstone of the Suns’ recent success. Green explained that their connection began before the season even started.
“It was good. We got a little vibe in training camp before the injury. Off the court, it’s a great vibe. On the court, it’s even better. It’s a lot of space out there,” he explained. “We’ll (be able to) build off each other. Talking the whole game.”
His production with the Rockets is what initially drew Phoenix’s attention to him. In the 2024-25 campaign, Green was one of Houston’s best scorers, averaging 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range. However, Green’s departure from Houston was dramatic, as the young talent admitted to being ‘hurt’ by the trade after many fans assumed he would be a long-term part of the Rockets’ roster.
MORE: Jalen Green Makes Franchise History in Electric Suns Debut
Despite the stellar performance, Green also admitted to having some pre-game jitters. He joked that his excitement and anxiety made it difficult to rest before the game.
“Man, that felt good to be back. I was telling everybody on my team, I was like, ‘I can’t even take my nap fully.’ I was so excited and anxious to get back on the floor. It was a lot of hard work, shoutout to the training staff and everybody for working with me. I’m happy to be out there,” Green revealed.
The Suns will face the Clippers again in their next game on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Intuit Dome.
