Suns Guard Jalen Green Set for Season Debut Against Clippers
After being acquired in the Kevin Durant trade, Jalen Green has yet to play for the Phoenix Suns due to a hamstring injury. That changed on Thursday when Green made his debut.
PHOENIX – The last piece of the NBA offseason blockbuster trade involving Kevin Durant came together as the Phoenix Suns faced the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Jalen Green, a 23-year-old guard who averaged 20.1 points per game over four seasons with the Houston Rockets, finally debuted after missing the entire preseason and the first eight regular-season games because of a right hamstring strain.
Green was part of the 2025 offseason trade that sent future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant to Houston. Alongside Green, Phoenix acquired Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 draft, which the Suns used to select Khaman Maluach.
Though new to the team and without any previous game time in a Suns uniform, Green expressed before the season that he already feels at home in Phoenix and has quickly built strong connections both on and off the court.
“Coming here, I got to know (the team), and I picked up with everybody very fast,” Green said. “Everyone is cool and has the same goals and mentality, so that makes it easy when you’re chasing that same goal with somebody. … From the coaching staff, to the players, to the front office, everyone is just great. The relationships molded fast.”
Green’s recovery and debut mark a significant step forward for the Suns as they integrate their new roster pieces amid the ongoing season.
Author's summary: Jalen Green, acquired in the Kevin Durant trade, finally debuts for the Phoenix Suns after a hamstring injury, expressing strong team bonds and readiness.