Jalen Green shines as Suns surge into playoffs

Second-year guard overcomes injury woes to lead playoff-bound team

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:02am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball player on the court, with their features and details obscured by the bold, sweeping brushstrokes.Jalen Green's late-season heroics have fueled the Suns' playoff push, showcasing his potential as a future NBA superstar.Phoenix Today

After an injury-plagued sophomore season, Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green has regained his form at the perfect time, helping propel his team into the playoffs with a series of clutch performances down the stretch.

Why it matters

Green's emergence as a go-to scorer and playmaker has been crucial for the Suns, who are looking to make a deep postseason run after missing the playoffs last year. His ability to shake off early-season struggles and elevate his game when it matters most has been a major factor in the team's late-season surge.

The details

In a recent game against a playoff contender, Green hit a deep 3-pointer in the closing seconds to seal a crucial victory for the Suns. His scoring outbursts and timely shot-making have been a consistent bright spot for Phoenix, which has weathered injuries to key players throughout the campaign.

  • Green missed significant time earlier this season due to a nagging hamstring injury.
  • Over the past month, Green has averaged over 22 points per game to lead the Suns' playoff push.

The players

Jalen Green

A 22-year-old guard in his second NBA season with the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix Suns

An NBA franchise based in Phoenix, Arizona that is currently in playoff position in the Western Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Jalen has really stepped up and taken his game to another level when we needed it most. He's been huge for us down the stretch.”

— Monty Williams, Head Coach, Phoenix Suns

What’s next

The Suns will look to secure a high playoff seed in their final regular season games, setting the stage for a potential deep postseason run led by the resurgent Jalen Green.

The takeaway

Jalen Green's ability to overcome early-season adversity and elevate his game when it matters most has been a driving force behind the Suns' late-season surge into the playoffs, showcasing his potential as a future star in the NBA.