The Phoenix Suns have begun this season not only with a relatively clean bill of health, they also managed to get center Mark Williams out on the court for their opener versus the Sacramento Kings. His 24 minutes off the bench coming as a pleasant surprise, with the 23-year-old quietening the haters in the process.
This leaves Jalen Green as the only key member of the squad yet to appear for the franchise, having not been seen during preseason play either. Green did travel to China for the double-header against the Brooklyn Nets, but that seems to be the place he aggravated a hamstring issue, causing him to sit out.
Green has travelled on Western road trip and could appear soon.
Although it has already been confirmed that Green will miss the first two games of a three game road swing against Western Conference opposition - contests against the L.A. Clippers and Denver Nuggets - the door remains open for a possible debut versus the Utah Jazz. Green is with the team, and is getting shots up at shoot around as well.
Jalen Green for 3.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 24, 2025
Out tonight at Clippers with right hamstring strain to begin 3-game road trip. #Suns pic.twitter.com/59ca8c6I2S
Although Devin Booker has already proven he can play - and play well - whatever position the Suns put him in, how he and Green link up in the backcourt could define their season. Which is why it would be ideal to see the duo come together for the first time against the Jazz, an ideal opponent who are in the midst of a prolonged rebuild themselves.
Given how poor the Clippers looked in their own defeat at the hands of the Jazz to begin their season - and Bradley Beal sure played his part in that - about the only downside here is the fact he can't go against this soft looking Clippers defense. Green hadn't missed a game in two regular seasons prior to the win over the Kings, so you know he is itching to get back out there.
This will also allow head coach Jordan Ott to bring Grayson Allen off the bench again, to make the most of his shooting and surprise playmaking we've seen already this season alongside the second unit. That Green is with the team at all - even if he doesn't end up playing - is the surest sign yet that he is close to being back on the court.
If the team can keep both him and Williams healthy, then the Kevin Durant trade and subsequent move for Williams is going to look even better. This Suns team if healthy simply isn't going to be as bad as the experts predicted - and although Green is hardly a plus defender - they won't be hitting this low either. We're getting closer to a Green return.