The Phoenix Suns will be without their key offseason acquisition, guard Jalen Green, for their upcoming NBA clash against the Washington Wizards on Monday, December 29, 2025. Green has been officially ruled out as he continues to recover from a persistent right hamstring strain that has severely limited his playing time this season.
Season Derailed by Hamstring Issues
Jalen Green's debut season with the Phoenix Suns has been marred by injury from the very beginning. The problem first emerged during training camp, forcing him to sit out the entire preseason and the first eight games of the regular season. He finally made his long-awaited debut on November 6, 2025, delivering an impressive 29-point performance against the LA Clippers.
However, that moment of promise was short-lived. In the very next game, Green's night ended after just seven minutes when he grabbed his right hamstring and headed to the locker room. This setback led to an initial diagnosis of a four-to-six week recovery period, with the Suns targeting a late December return.
Latest Status and Cautious Approach
Despite earlier hopes that Green could return during the Suns' late-December road trip—which included games in New Orleans, Washington, and Cleveland—those plans have not come to fruition. The official injury report for the game at Capital One Arena lists Green as out with a right hamstring strain.
Suns head coach Jordan Ott has provided updates, noting that Green is making progress and has resumed on-court work. However, the team has not cleared him for full game action. Given Green's explosive, pace-driven style of play, the Phoenix medical staff is taking an extremely cautious approach to prevent another major setback.
Suns' Injury Report and Team Impact
The Suns' backcourt depth will be tested against the Wizards. The full injury report for December 29 includes:
- Jalen Green: Out (Right Hamstring Strain)
- Grayson Allen: Out (Right Knee Injury Management)
- Ryan Dunn: Questionable (Right Knee Soreness)
- Jordan Goodwin: Available (Jaw Sprain, will wear a mask)
With both Green and Allen unavailable, the offensive burden falls even more heavily on star guard Devin Booker, who is averaging 25 points and 6 assists per game. Reserve guard Collin Gillespie is expected to see increased minutes to help cover the gaps in the rotation.
Wizards' Struggles and Outlook
The Washington Wizards enter this matchup with a challenging 7-23 record and their own injury concerns. Key players Corey Kispert, Cam Whitmore, and Kyshawn George are all expected to be out. While young talents like Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly provide defensive energy, the team has consistently struggled to keep up with opponents offensively.
When Will Jalen Green Return?
There is currently no fixed return date for Jalen Green. The Suns plan to re-evaluate his condition in the next two to three weeks. If his recovery stays on its current positive trajectory, an early January 2026 return could be possible. So far in the 2025-26 season, Green has appeared in only two games, scoring a total of 31 points.
Despite Green's prolonged absence, the Phoenix Suns have managed to find a rhythm, entering the game against Washington on a three-game winning streak. The team will look to extend that streak at Capital One Arena, but they will have to do it once again without the dynamic scoring and pace that Jalen Green was specifically brought in to provide.
