Jalen Green Returns As Suns Face 76ers In High-Stakes NBA Clash

The Phoenix Suns are set for a significant shakeup as Jalen Green, their electrifying young guard, makes his much-anticipated return to the court tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. After missing 33 consecutive games due to a persistent right hamstring strain, Green has been officially cleared to play, injecting fresh energy and intrigue into a Suns squad that has already exceeded preseason expectations.

Green’s comeback has been a topic of mounting anticipation among fans and teammates alike. Suns star Devin Booker, fresh off a strong performance in last night’s 126-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets, didn’t hold back his excitement: “Let’s get it man. It’s time.” That sentiment echoes throughout the organization, with Booker further adding, “We miss Jalen. He’s another person out there that’ll have rim presence for us and draw a lot of fouls. He’s been licking his chops getting ready for this moment. I think we’ve overdone it with keeping him out. He’s going to be healthy and strong and ready to go,” as reported by The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin.

Head coach Jordan Ott confirmed before tipoff that Green, 23, will come off the bench as the Suns carefully manage his minutes and conditioning. “He’ll be back to starting,” Ott assured, “when his conditioning is where it needs to be.” The plan is clear: ease Green back into game action, monitor his burst, and keep him available for key moments down the stretch. Ott’s approach is a balancing act—Green’s explosive shot creation can change the offense, but hamstring injuries are notorious for punishing overzealous returns.

Green’s journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. Acquired from the Houston Rockets in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade during the offseason, Green was expected to be a cornerstone in Phoenix’s backcourt. But after debuting with a sensational 29-point, six-three-pointer outburst against the LA Clippers on November 6—a performance that marked the second-most points and most threes ever in a Suns debut—he aggravated his hamstring just two days later. That setback limited him to 30 minutes over two games and sidelined him for more than two months.

Despite the extended absence, Green’s impact was immediately felt in his brief appearances. This season, he’s averaged 15.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 15 minutes per game. Last year, he played in every game for the Suns, averaging 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. At just 23 years old, Green’s potential remains sky-high, and the Suns’ faith in his abilities is unwavering. “We know who he is. He knows what we want to do,” Ott said. “We’re a top-five defense. That’s where it’s going to start. Offensively, we need his speed. We need his speed, his playmaking, his downhill ability.”

Phoenix’s resilience without Green has been one of the season’s biggest surprises. The Suns have surged to a 26-17 record, tied for sixth in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ve won five of their last seven games, including back-to-back victories heading into tonight’s matchup. The chemistry among Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Collin Gillespie has been especially noteworthy, with the team frequently surpassing 20 made three-pointers in a game and moving the ball with confidence.

Tonight’s contest at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena, tipping off at 7:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. Arizona time), presents both opportunity and challenge. The 76ers, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference, are formidable even without their superstar center Joel Embiid, who is sidelined due to right ankle injury management. Embiid, the reigning 2023 NBA MVP, has played just 23 of Philadelphia’s 41 games this season and has yet to be cleared for back-to-backs due to ongoing knee and now ankle concerns. Paul George, another marquee name, is listed as questionable for the Sixers with a left knee injury.

For the Suns, Mark Williams was initially questionable with right knee injury management but is expected to play after logging 16 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in last night’s win over Brooklyn. His presence bolsters Phoenix’s interior defense, a critical factor with Embiid out of the lineup. Jordan Goodwin is available despite a jaw sprain, while Collin Gillespie and Royce O’Neale are likely to see their roles adjusted as Green is reintegrated.

The Suns’ rotation will be under the microscope. Ott’s current starting five—Gillespie, Booker, Brooks, O’Neale, and Williams—has found a rhythm in Green’s absence. With Green coming off the bench, Phoenix can maintain continuity with its first unit while leveraging Green’s scoring punch against opposing second units. The plan, according to Ott, is to “keep something in the tank for crunch time,” ensuring Green’s minutes are impactful when it matters most.

On the Philadelphia side, the absence of Embiid shifts the offensive load to Tyrese Maxey, recently named an All-Star starter, and potentially Paul George if he’s cleared to play. The Sixers’ depth will be tested, especially with Johni Broome (left thumb) doubtful and Kelly Oubre Jr. available but dealing with a left knee issue.

Tonight’s game is more than just a regular-season matchup—it’s a litmus test for the Suns’ evolving identity. Integrating Green back into the fold while maintaining the momentum built over the last two months will require patience and adaptability. As Ott noted, “There will be bumps in the process of implementing Green into the rotation, but his presence around the team while injured should help.”

Fans eager to catch the action can tune in on Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona Family Sports, or NBC Sports Philadelphia, with streaming options available via Fubo and NBA League Pass (subject to blackout restrictions). Radio coverage is provided by KMVP 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.

With both teams coming off wins and the Suns eyeing their third straight victory, all eyes will be on Jalen Green’s first steps back onto the hardwood. Will his return supercharge Phoenix’s quest for a top-six seed, or will the rust of a long layoff require more time to shake off? One thing’s for sure: the Suns are a team on the rise, and with Green back in the mix, the Western Conference playoff race just got a lot more interesting.

As the ball tips in Philadelphia, the Suns embark on a new chapter—one defined by renewed depth, high expectations, and the hope that Jalen Green’s return is the missing piece in their postseason puzzle.