Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green talks high school jersey retirement
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green described his emotions after his high school jersey retirement and offered an injury update.
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green thoroughly enjoyed the team’s 114-113 comeback thriller over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 21 before a charged sellout crowd of 17,017 at Mortgage Matchup Center even though he didn’t play.
“It was lit, super lit,” a smiling Green said. “We’re down two of our best players. Just shows the fight that we have. The dog mentality we have. That’s what’s important when it comes down to the playoffs and getting to the playoffs. Got to keep that same energy.”
Green continues to work his way back from reinjuring his right hamstring on Nov. 8 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns (10-6) announced on Nov. 11 that he’d be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
“It’s getting better,” Green said after practice on Nov. 22. “Taking it day-by-day. It’s been some good progressions. Still keep working at it.”
Green’s recovery schedule meant he would miss the Nov. 24 game against the Houston Rockets (10-4), his former team, to end a three-game homestand. The Suns acquired Geen, Dillon Brooks and the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, 7-footer Khaman Maluach, in the Kevin Durant trade.
“I’m a little bummed about it,’ Green said. “It’s unfortunate I got injured. Hopefully we can get back around the next time we play them.”
Phoenix’s next two games against the Rockets are both in Houston on Dec. 5 and Jan. 5.
“I’ve crossed this one out. Hopefully I can get back for the next one. No rush, though. We’ll take it day-by-day. At the end of the day, me being healthy is bigger than rushing back. Everyone has the same goal to get to the playoffs. Got to get ready for that.”
Green first injured his hamstring in training camp leading up to an Oct. 3 preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers in Palm Desert.
He then reaggravated it during a weeklong stay in China for two preseason games against the Brooklyn Nets. He missed the four preseason games and first eight regular-season games before making his Suns debut Nov. 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers in Phoenix.
Green scored 29 points, hitting six 3s, the most for a Suns player in a debut, in leading Phoenix to a 115-102 win. Two days later, Green’s hamstring flared up again in the first quarter of a 114-103 victory over the Clippers in Inglewood.
Looking to make a pass to Ryan Dunn for a corner 3, Green pulled up and limped to the Suns bench in serious pain. He needed help from the Suns’ staff walking to the locker room at Intuit Dome.
“I don’t even know what I did to be honest,” Green said. “It was a freak accident. I really didn’t do anything too explosive. I just took a step and kind of passed it out so when my leg was out, it extended me. I don’t know. I just felt a pop.”
Green, who didn’t miss a game in each of his last two seasons in Houston, is working his way back, trying to remain his usual upbeat self and have a positive impact on the team.
“Even though I’m not out there being able to play, I still feel like I need to speak up when I see something wrong or a I see an area we can do better at,” Green said. “On top of that, just supporting the guys overall. You’ve got to be there for your team. It’s not about you. I know I’m going through a tough situation, but the team is what’s important.”
Suns coach Jordan Ott has repeatedly said Green is the “bright light” in all types of environments and situations.
Green has been shining that on his team even though he’s saddled with an injury.
“Guys got their head down, I’m always going to pick somebody up,” Green said. “I would want that reciprocated if ya’ll see me like that. I know I’m a leader of this team, one of the leaders of the team. My voice is important. I know energy is important, too.”
Green likes what he’s seeing from the Suns, who are playing above preseason expectations.
“We’ve got a bunch of dogs over here,” Green said. “We keep saying in the media it’s that dog ‘blank’, but that’s the truth, though. Everyone here plays an important role from the starters to the last man. Everyone plays an important role and we’re all talking, we’re all communicating. We’re all on the same page and it’s a beautiful thing, especially when we get out on the floor. You feel the energy. It’s good.”
Green has been supportive of his teammates while being out. He was indeed super lit watching Grayson Allen crank out a career-high 42 points, hitting a career-best 10 from 3, in a 121-98 victory Nov. 10 over the New Orleans Pelicans at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“I was talking with Jalen the whole game and Jalen just, every time I came back to the bench, he was just amping me up,” Allen said after that game. “’Go for 40. Go for 50. Go to get 10, go get 11, go get 12 3s.’” A lot of the time, I was looking over there at him and seeing his reaction.”
The Suns showed their support for Green by attending his No. 4 high school jersey retirement ceremony on Nov. 19 at San Joaquin Memorial in Fresno.
“It was a surreal moment,” Green said. “A lot of emotions through the building. Just to be back home. See people who I grew up with. Old teachers, whole coaching staff. Very surreal moment.”
Having family and friends there made it even more special.
Having his Suns teammates and coaches there took it a different level.
“That was super important,” Green said. “Super big for me for the team to pop out. Meant a lot to me. It was an off day. They didn’t even have to pull up at all. I knew that. I had that in mind going into the jersey retirement. I didn’t expect everyone to come because we’ve been on the road. For everyone to pop out, it meant a lot to me.”
The Suns took a late flight from Portland to Phoenix after beating the Trail Blazers, 127-110, on Nov. 18 at Moda Center.
The next day, they flew to Fresno for Green’s jersey ceremony and returned to Phoenix afterward.
“It was really cool,” Ott said. “So thankful to fit it into our schedule with the no practice day. It was easy to get in and out and the guys showed up for him. It was really cool to see the high school and all his teammates came back along with his family and friends. It was cool to be a part of.”
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.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
