Key Highlights
- Jalen Green had an impressive debut for the Phoenix Suns, scoring 29 points in just 23 minutes.
- The connection between Green and Devin Booker was strong before Thursday’s game, with both players talking constantly during practice.
- Green’s ability to shoot from the catch-and-shoot position showed his willingness to get off the ball and let the offense work its magic.
- His downhill burst will add more dynamism to the Suns’ offense, particularly in pick-and-roll situations.
Debut Highlights: Jalen Green Shines for Phoenix Suns
Jalen Green had one of the most impressive debuts in Phoenix Suns history last night, helping propel his new team to a home win. In just 23 minutes of action, he scored 29 points and offered a preview of how the Suns’ offense can elevate to a new level this season.
Green’s Decision-Making Skills
Head coach Jordan Ott praised Green for his preparedness to make the right play. Whether it was making simple passes early in the shot clock or knowing when it was his time to score, Green’s decisions left a strong impression on his teammates.
The Connection Between Green and Booker
There were moments that highlighted how well Green and Devin Booker will play off each other. In one clip, when Green receives the handoff and the defense switches, the floor is spaced so he can operate in isolation. This type of court spacing is ideal for any guard with a quick first step – and Green has one of the fastest in the NBA.
Both Green and Booker are synchronized in their movements.
Once they notice Kris Dunn shadowing too far in Green’s direction, it’s Booker drifting down to the corner. It results in a beautiful “no-dip” three from Booker, who is shooting 43% from deep this season:
It was good, we got a little vibe in training camp before the injury,” Green said. “Off the court it’s a vibe, on the court it’s even better. There’s a lot of space out there. We’re able to build off each other and we’re talking the whole game.”
Shooting from the Catch-and-Shoot Position
Eight of Green’s 13 three-point attempts were directly off a catch, showing his willingness to get off the ball, spot-up, and let the offense do its thing. More often than not, it would come back to him:
“It was probably everything we expected and more,” Ott said after Green’s debut. “I think any time you’re out of basketball for that long – we often forget this was his first game of the season as well, he hasn’t played in a long time – it’s not easy. Ups and downs of coming back with from an injury, wanting to play with a new group in a new city.”
For Green to shoot 6-of-13 from deep in his first NBA minutes since last year’s playoffs was beyond what a normal return should look like under these circumstances.
Adding Dynamism to the Suns’ Offense
“He takes a lot of pressure off anybody,” Booker said after the win. “Just a high-level talent. With an opportunity and space, he can pretty much do everything. We saw a glimpse of it tonight, 29 points in 23 minutes.
Super incredible and super efficient.”
Green’s downhill burst will give the Suns’ offense more dynamism, particularly with how he reacts to pick-and-roll coverages.
On the first possession above, Green saw Zubac meeting him at the 3-point line (a product of his efficient shooting), so he quickly reverted to the other direction and used Williams’ screen to attack the middle. Usually, opposing bigs aren’t going to have enough speed or agility to keep up.
Conclusion
A Promising Start for Green
The debut of Jalen Green with the Phoenix Suns was a promising start. His ability to make smart decisions, connect with teammates like Devin Booker, and shoot effectively from various positions on the court bodes well for his future with the team. The Suns are hoping that his presence brings more interior scoring to their lineup.
