Jalen Green’s arrival in Phoenix as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant to Houston injected new energy into the Suns’ lineup. Although his debut came later than expected, he made an immediate impact with 29 points in a 115–102 victory over the Clippers in early November, giving fans a glimpse of his explosive potential.
But just as he began to find his rhythm, Green was sidelined by an injury that halted his momentum. Now, as the Suns travel to Minnesota, the young guard is set to miss his 14th consecutive game.
When is Jalen Green Returning?
Green has appeared in only two games this season, and his absence has been felt. The 23-year-old suffered a right hamstring injury on his second outing, aggravating the issue that had bothered him since the training camp.
Green needed a four-to-six-week recovery window, and the current expectation is that he will return on December 18, giving the Suns hope that their new young scorer will soon be back in the mix. It’s a notable absence given his durability over the past two years as he played all 82 games in each of the last two regular seasons.
His return should be something to look forward to, as he has looked as if he fits right in with this system in the limited time he’s played. In his first game in a Suns jersey, he put up 29 points on 10-for-20 shooting in just under 23 minutes of playing time.
The Suns acquired Green alongside Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks in exchange for Durant. Phoenix used that 10th pick to draft standout center Khaman Maluac, and while Brooks has impressed with 22.3 points per game this season, Green, even with limited action, has looked every bit as impactful.
And while he admitted he was initially “hurt” by being traded, he didn’t look like a newcomer at all in his Suns debut. His instant chemistry with the team sent fans into a frenzy and reinforced the notion that Phoenix may have won the blockbuster deal.
Despite losing Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns have been one of the more pleasant surprises in the West. Devin Booker is playing at an All-NBA level, and Collin Gillespie has stepped up admirably in Green’s absence. The roster’s cohesion has highlighted how crucial fit and balance are in the post-superteam era.
The Phoenix Suns enter their matchup with the Timberwolves at 13–10, currently seventh in the Western Conference. After Friday’s game, the Suns will head to Oklahoma City for the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Dec. 10.
