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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 05: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns received a major injury scare on Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks when guard Jalen Green was spotted limping and exited the floor early in the first quarter, raising serious alarm bells for a team fighting for playoff positioning.
Per Suns beat reporter Duane Rankin:
“Jalen Green left game with what appears to be a right leg injury. He limped to the locker room. Suns down 18-17. Green checked out with 8:10 left in 1st quarter.”
The timing could not be worse for Phoenix. The Suns sit seventh in the Western Conference at 43-36, with a playoff spot still very much on the line. Green has already missed significant time this season due to a recurring right hamstring strain, and another setback would be a hard blow to their postseason push.
Without Green’s scoring ability alongside Devin Booker, the Suns’ offense loses a critical dynamic weapon heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Booker Can Steps Up as Sole Offensive Engine
GettyDevin Booker could step up in Jalen Green’s Absence
Green’s absence has transferred the whole offensive pressure on Devin Booker, and past records suggest he can handle that.
Over 63 games this season, Booker has averaged 25.9 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, placing him 10th in the league in scoring.
He has frequently been the one to single-handedly put up some amazing numbers this season, putting up 43 points against the Pacers and 36 against Memphis.
Through his pull-up mid-range shots and his ability to create plays, Booker will be the main focus for the Suns against Dallas, the team they will follow for the rest of the season.
Suns’ Bench Must Step Up
The Phoenix Suns’ depth showed who could fill Green’s spot on the court that night. In fact, Royce O’Neale has been the one to really shine off the bench, showing his worth as a top spot-up shooter and making sure the Suns’ offense runs smoothly even when he is not on the floor.
Jordan Goodwin, on his part, has been remarkably effective in the first unit, adding physicality and making some critical defensive stops on both ends.
Besides, Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks have also been instrumental in the team’s efforts, with Brooks handling the ball most of the time in Green’s absence. The Suns are adaptable enough to play one game without Green, but if he is out for a few games, they will have major problems scoring without Booker and O’Neale.
Mavericks Have Nothing to Lose
For the Dallas Mavericks, this game is simply a matter of showing what they have. Dallas is currently at 25-54, already out of playoffs, and pretty much playing the last few games of the season. However, that could potentially turn them into a dangerous team – they will play without pressure, have no restriction in their rotation, and their young players will be very eager to prove themselves.
On the other hand, Phoenix, the 7th team in the Western Conference with a 43-35 record and aiming for a direct playoff spot, needs every win to count. Getting defeated by a team headed for the lottery like Dallas, even without Green in the locker room, would be a very bad and most untimely result for them.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
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