Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott provided updates on the health status of key players Jalen Green and Devin Booker during his pregame remarks on February 5, ahead of the game against the Golden State Warriors at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Booker, a five-time All-Star, will miss his seventh consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. When questioned about Booker’s potential return, Ott noted that the player is “right there” in his recovery progress. “He’s incredible at healing and pushing himself on the court,” Ott remarked, while also cautioning against overexertion that could lead to further soreness. The Suns have managed to perform well in Booker’s absence, recording a 4-2 record over this span.
Meanwhile, Jalen Green is facing challenges from both a left hip contusion and hamstring injury management, which have also sidelined him for Thursday’s game. Ott highlighted the day-to-day nature of Green’s recovery and emphasized the importance of monitoring how the guard feels after practice. Green’s hip injury stemmed from a fall during a previous game against Cleveland, and Ott expressed concern over ensuring that the hip injury doesn’t aggravate his hamstring.
Currently, Green has only played five games this season due to recurrent hamstring issues, which have hindered his ability to find a rhythm with the Suns. The team has not seen Green on the court for three consecutive games since the hip injury against the Cavaliers.
In the backdrop of their current standings, with Phoenix sitting seventh in the Western Conference, there have been discussions about possibly resting both Green and Booker until after the All-Star break. Ott expressed confidence in his players’ competitiveness, stating, “They want to play, and we want them out there.” Notably, Booker is set to participate in the All-Star Game on February 15 in Inglewood, California.
The Suns will continue their schedule with three additional games before the All-Star break, including matchups against strong opponents like Philadelphia, Dallas, and defending champions Oklahoma City. The time between the games against Philadelphia and Dallas may provide a crucial window for the team to assess the readiness of both Green and Booker for return to play.
With the Suns showing resilience in overcoming injuries, fans remain hopeful for a swift recovery for their star players as the All-Star weekend approaches, and the journey to strengthen their playoff position continues.