The Phoenix Suns keep on surprising the NBA landscape midway through the season and they’re about to add a 20-point per game scorer to the lineup.
Ahead of their 127-121 loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday, Suns first-year head coach Jordan Ott gave an update on Jalen Green, who has only played in two games this season suffering from a right hamstring strain.
“He’s there,” Ott said. “He’s progressed to playing. He’s obviously playing with players and coaches. We’ll just keep him moving in the right direction. He’s taking steps every day and we’ll continue to assess.”
Is there a chance Green returns for either of Phoenix’s forthcoming matchups against the Detroit Pistons or New York Knicks?
”Next game, no,” Ott said. “He’s progressed is going up and down, so that’s just the final stages of this all. Being out for so long, we’re going to be as cautious as we can. But knowing him, he’s itching to get out there.”
MORE: Windhorst: Suns’ biggest trade acquisition is already on the roster
Green's turbulent season
Green has played in just two games for Phoenix this season, remaining out since early November with a right hamstring strain. In his first and only full game with the Suns, he erupted for 29 points on 6-for-13 on 3-pointers and 4-for-7 on 2-pointers in a 115-102 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. He exited the next game after playing just six minutes.
The former Houston Rockets guard was the key figure in Phoenix's offseason trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets for Green, Brooks and the draft picks that turned into Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.
While Green hasn't been able to see the floor, Brooks has risen as a prominent offensive staple in the Suns' otherwise lackluster scoring attack, what with Green, a scoring force in his own right, missing all but two games this season
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