Suns Guard Jalen Green Set to Make Season Debut Versus Clippers
After being acquired in the Kevin Durant trade, Jalen Green has yet to play for the Suns due to a right hamstring strain. That changed on Thursday as he made his season debut against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Background on the Trade and Acquisition
The final piece of the NBA offseason’s blockbuster Kevin Durant trade came together for the Phoenix Suns when they faced the Clippers. Green, a 23-year-old guard who averaged 20.1 points per game over his four-year tenure with the Houston Rockets, was sidelined through the Suns' entire preseason and first eight regular-season games due to his injury.
In the 2025 offseason trade that sent future Hall-of-Famer Kevin Durant to Houston, Phoenix acquired Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 draft. The Suns used that pick to select Khaman Maluach.
Green’s Integration with the Suns
Despite being new to the team and not having played a game in a Suns uniform until now, Green expressed before the season that he already feels at home and has built strong bonds on and off the court.
“Coming here, I got to know [the team], and I picked up with everybody very fast. 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 debut marks a promising addition to the Suns’ lineup as they continue to chase their championship aspirations.
Summary: Jalen Green, acquired in the Durant trade, overcomes a hamstring injury to debut for the Suns, quickly building strong team bonds and boosting Phoenix’s championship hopes.