The Republic discusses the Suns’ upcoming homestand, matchup with Spurs
The Phoenix Suns begin a 3-game homestand on Oct. 29, in which they host the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs.
Republic staff
Jalen Green took a major step towards making his Phoenix Suns debut by playing 5-on-5 on Nov. 1 before practice at the team’s facility.
Phoenix (2-4) ends a three-game homestand on Nov. 2 against the San Antonio Spurs (5-0) in a 6 p.m. game at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“It was full-court before practice,” said Suns coach Jordan Ott about Green’s 5-on-5 work. “So that part is good. We’ll have to take a look tonight after this and into (Sunday).”
Green has yet to play due to a right hamstring strain, while Dillon Brooks has been sidelined for the last three games with a core muscle strain, which is the latest diagnosis.
They have both been ruled out for the Nov. 2 game against the unbeaten Spurs.
Brooks was initially ruled out with right groin soreness prior to the Oct. 27 game at Utah.
It appears Green is closer to returning than Brooks, but Ott wouldn’t second that thought.
“We’re going to as best we can keep those guys moving in the right direction,” Ott said. “Jalen got in 5-on-5 today. That’s a good sign.”
The Suns snapped a four-game skid with a 118-96 win over the Jazz on Oct. 31. Grayson Allen has been starting for Green, while Royce O’Neale has replaced the injured Brooks in the starting lineup.
Green was listed as questionable the day before Phoenix played against Memphis on Oct. 29, but was then downgraded to out. Ott said at the time Green didn’t have any setback.
Brooks suffered his injury in an Oct. 25 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the second of a road back-to-back. He’s averaging a career-high 19.3 points in his first season with Phoenix.
Ott reiterated on Nov. 1 that Brooks is day-to-day, but at the time of the injury, he said the injury wasn’t that serious. Ott addressed Brooks’ injury with a little more detail before the Oct. 31 win over Utah in NBA Cup Group West A play at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“The soft tissue piece to it,” Ott said. “His pain tolerance being super high and trying to put a timeline on when Dillon Brooks can physically get out there. We know he’s going to step out there. That’s the thing we’re learning Dillon in this process as he returns back.”
Two-way player Isaiah Livers is listed as doubtful for the Spurs’ matchup. He missed the second half of the Oct. 31 game against Utah with a right hip contusion. Ott said it’s not related to missing all last season with a right hip injury.
“Just got hit on his hip,” Ott said. “Sounds like he’ll be day-to-day. It’s nothing from his surgery. Just an unlucky spot.”
Livers is in his first season with the Suns after three seasons (2021-24) with the Detroit Pistons. The 6-7 forward played a season-high 21 minutes in the Oct. 27 overtime loss at Utah.
Green initially strained his right hamstring in training camp leading up to the Oct. 3 preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers in Palm Desert. He reaggravated it during the team’s weeklong stay in China for two games against the Brooklyn Nets.
The 6-4 guard didn’t miss a game in either of his last two seasons with the Houston Rockets. He averaged a team-high 21 points for the 52-win Rockets last season.
The Suns acquired Brooks, Green and the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, 7-footer Khaman Maluach, from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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