Jalen Green made an immediate impact in his Phoenix Suns debut, scoring 29 points in just 23 minutes as the team defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 115-102 on Thursday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Green shot 10 of 20 from the field, including 6 of 13 from beyond the arc, marking a strong return after missing the first eight games with a hamstring strain.
Speaking after the game, Green said, “I felt really good. I was so excited, I couldn’t even sleep. It was a lot of fun out there. Just got to keep stacking days.” He described the recovery process as frustrating but credited the Suns’ training staff for keeping him ready for the moment.
Green highlighted the first point where he felt fully back on the court. “After my first three went in the little side step, I think that was like okay, yeah here we go. Just seeing the ball go in with the energy from my teammates and fans, it was a great experience.”
Devin Booker contributed 24 points, while Grayson Allen added 18 despite battling an illness. Royce O’Neale had 17 points, including 11 in a decisive third-quarter stretch, and Mark Williams posted 13 points with nine rebounds. The Suns improved to 4-5 with the victory.
Green spoke about his early chemistry with Booker, saying, “We got a little vibe in training camp. Off the court, it’s great. On the court, it’s even better. There’s a lot of space, we’re talking the whole game. He’s a veteran guard, been there before. I’m learning everything I can from him while trying to help him win.”
The Clippers were missing James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Bradley Beal returned to Phoenix but struggled, finishing with five points on 2 of 14 shooting and facing boos from the home crowd. Los Angeles never recovered after Allen’s three-pointer extended Phoenix’s lead to 104-79 in the fourth quarter.
Green also praised the Suns’ roster for easing his transition. “They made it very easy. Everyone was themselves, helping me each quarter. That’s what the team does.” He emphasized how the offense opens space and allows fast play. “Our offense has a lot of space and lets us get up a lot of threes and play fast, which I love to do.”
With a successful debut, Green looks poised to integrate into the Suns’ system while boosting their playoff aspirations. The Clippers will aim to rebound when the teams meet again on Saturday night in Inglewood, California.
