The Phoenix Suns have had mixed results in the early going, which could have been predicted with the wholesale changes the franchise made. Like the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Indiana Pacers, the Suns have not had a full squad this season. However, Jalen Green is reportedly close to making his season debut, though he will once again sit out against the San Antonio Spurs tonight.
When Will Jalen Green Make Season Debut For Suns
Green is expected to take some of the scoring burden off of Devin Booker when he fully recovers from a strained right hamstring. The Suns, 2-4 on the season, rank in the bottom third of the NBA in offensive and defensive efficiency. Booker is averaging 30 points on 20 shot attempts, but Dillon Brooks, currently injured, is second on the team with 19.3 points on nearly 20 shots a contest. So, the Suns need Green, who averages 20 points for his career, back to help stabilize the offense.
According to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Green took a positive step in his recovery yesterday. Rankin reported that Green took part in the Suns’ five-on-five scrimmage.
“It was full-court before practice. That’s a good sign,” said Suns coach Jordan Ott about Green’s 5-on-5 work.
Green won’t play against the Spurs (5-0) tonight, and his next opportunity to play will be at Golden State on Tuesday. If Green doesn’t return against the Warriors, he should be available when the Suns return home to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
Suns Struggling In The Early Going
Green will help Booker carry the Suns’ offensive workload, thus allowing Grayson Allen and Brooks to do what they do best. Green will likely at least share ball-handling duties with Booker, though he could take over the point. The 23-year-old has improved as a facilitator, although he is more effective when he is off the ball despite not being a good shooter.
Phoenix has been inefficient on the offensive end thus far. The Suns are 17th in the league in scoring, averaging 116.3 points, as they lead the league in both makes and attempts. However, the Suns are only shooting 44.8% from the field (24th) and 35% from the 3-point line (16th). They turn the ball over nearly 17 times (eighth most) and don’t get to the free-throw line much (27th in free-throw attempts).
While the Suns have players who can score, they have struggled on the defensive end. The Suns are 22nd in defensive rating as they allow their opponents to shoot 47.3% from the field. The Suns’ biggest issues, in addition to turnovers, are defending the 3-point line, rebounding, and fouling. They commit the second most fouls at 25.5 a game, and their opponents attempt nearly 30 free throws a game.
Ott, in his first season as a head coach, has given plenty of players opportunities. Fourteen players have appeared in at least three games, though Ott has kept his rotation pretty tight, with nine players seeing double-digit minutes. The Suns have used three different starting lineups through the first six games. Mark Williams, Ryan Dunn, and Royce O’Neale have joined Booker and Allen with the first unit lately.
What Will Green’s Role Be When He Returns?
Green is not the only Sun player dealing with an injury, as Brooks will miss his fourth straight game against San Antonio due to a groin injury. Brooks is considered day-to-day going forward, though Rankin believes that Green is further along in terms of recovery.
“The soft tissue piece to it,” Ott said about Brooks’ injury. “His pain tolerance is super high, and we’re 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.”
If Green can return first, O’Neale would likely return to the bench. That would mean that Dunn would slide to the four and Allen would slide to the three. Now, if both return to action at the same time or shortly after each other, O’Neale and presumably would become key reserves.
Therefore, the Suns’ first unit would be Booker and Green in the backcourt, Brooks at the three, Dunn at the four, and Williams at the five. Speaking of Williams, Ott told Rankin that he will continue to increase the 23-year-old big man’s workload as the season progresses.
“That’s where he’s trending for sure.” Ott is talking about Williams’ target minutes. “We’re going to be smart. We know it’s an 82-game season. It will continue to be a talking point within our group based on how he played that night and how he physically feels the next day. Ideally, it continues to go up to where it’s lifted. We’re going to be pretty strategic in how we use him because we want him healthy, want him to play game after game after game.”
Injury Report For Sunday Night
Once everyone is healthy, Allen projects to be the Suns’ sixth man. O’Neale, Oso Ighodoro, and Collin Gillespie would be the other major players who come off the bench.
Besides Brooks and Green, Isaiah Livers is also on the injury report against San Antonio. Livers is dealing with a hip contusion and is listed as doubtful for tonight. He is considered day-to-day going forward.
“Just got hit on his hip,” Ott explained about Livers, who missed all last season due to a hip injury. “Sounds like he’ll be day-to-day. It’s nothing from his surgery. Just an unlucky spot.”
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