© John Jones-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA — The Phoenix Suns and their fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of guard Jalen Green, and on Tuesday, they finally saw him back on the court for the first time since November.
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Jan 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Green returned to the lineup against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing 33 games due to a re-aggravated right hamstring injury. He initially missed the first games of the season, returning on Nov. 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, but re-injured the hamstring just two days later.
Since then, the guard had been on the sideline cheering on his team as they climbed the Western Conference standings — until Tuesday night.
Jan 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
For the first time in his career, Green came off the bench and made the most of his 20 minutes on the court. In the 116-110 win over the 76ers, Green posted 12 points, two rebounds and three assists.
“To feel his instant ability to get downhill,” head coach Jordan Ott said post-game, according to the team’s social media. “To the rim, into the paint. I thought he made a lot of good downhill drives. Whether he finished or tried to find a teammate.”
Jan 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) travels with the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The return spoke more to the resiliency of Green, but also the Suns, as they battled through other key injuries during the time Green was out. This marked the first time in Green’s career that he missed this amount of time due to injury, especially after playing in every game last season.
Still, Phoenix wanted to be careful in bringing him back, as they did not want another setback for their young guard. For Ott, it was good to see one of his young players getting back to his passion.
“Just good to have him out there,” he said. “His joy is back. He’s a basketball player, so it’s good to see him out there.”
“Just good to have him out there. His joy is back. He’s a basketball player so it’s good to see him out there.”
🗣️ Head Coach Jordan Ott on Jalen Green getting back to doing what he loves@MountainAmerica | #SunsUp pic.twitter.com/2DUx0CXMII
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 21, 2026
Green’s return gives the Suns more depth, flexibility, and overall energy as they continue grinding through the first half of the season.
Phoenix ends its six-game road trip in Georgia as it takes on the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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