Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NBA Announces Punishment Decision on Suns’ Jalen Green Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns entered Monday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards playing improved basketball after a slow start to the season. Phoenix had won three straight games and was beginning to stabilize in the Western Conference standings. That momentum carried into the new week.

Both teams battled it out in a tightly contested affair before the Suns pulled away in the fourth quarter, earning a 115-101 win over Washington.

The game, however, was followed by a moment involving guard Jalen Green that drew league attention. The incident occurred after the final buzzer of Sunday’s game when Green briefly interrupted Collin Gillespie’s interview and used explicit language while celebrating with his teammate.

Phoenix guard Jalen Green, guard Devin Booker, and center Mark Williams on the sidelines.© Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

That act did not go unnoticed. On Tuesday, the NBA announced it had fined Green $25,000 for his conduct, per a statement by Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball
Operations James Jones.

“Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green has been fined $25,000 for using profanity when interrupting a teammate's live television interview,” the statement read.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/We1yHM47OC
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 30, 2025

The fine comes as Green, 23, continues to recover from a lingering right hamstring strain that sidelined him early in the season. After missing the first eight games, he returned with a strong 29-point performance on Nov. 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers. But in his second game back against the Clippers he aggravated the hamstring injury late in the first quarter and had to be helped off the court.

Per the Suns, the 2021 No. 2 overall pick is expected to miss another three to four weeks as he continues to walk his way back into the court.

Despite missing a key piece, the Suns have emerged as one of the best teams in recent weeks. Led by veteran guard Devin Booker, Phoenix holds the seventh best record in the West and appears to be trending upwards as the season approaches its midpoint.

Phoenix wraps up its four-game road trip with a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year’s Eve before returning home to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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