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Oct 22, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and forward Dillon Brooks (3) during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Predicting Suns' Next Two Games

Originally posted on Phoenix Suns on SI | By Trevor Booth | Last updated Oct 24, 2025 3:31 PM ET

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green will not play in the Suns' next two games on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.

Green, who was acquired by Phoenix as one of two starters for the Rockets in the seven-team, Kevin Durant deal, is yet to play with the Suns. Phoenix's first-year coach, Jordan Ott, spoke about Green's absence on Friday, one day following the Suns' season-opening, 20-point comeback victory over their Pacific Division rival, the Sacramento Kings.

"He's obviously not gonna play (this weekend),” Ott said (via PHNX’s Stephen PridGeon-Gardner). “That's pretty easy to see. He's still working through it. I would say, by the end of the road trip, there will be more (updates), but at this point, definitely nothing."

Will Green be able to return for Monday's road contest against the Utah Jazz? That remains to be seen.

"Jalen just continues to progress," Ott said. "Now we're (going) on the road, so (with) the lack of practice time, we're gonna have to get a little creative, But he'll be on our road trip and just continue to progress, see where he ends up at the end of the road trip."

The Suns' backcourt is comprised of two typical starters at the shooting guard position. Devin Booker, who will play point guard to begin the season, had 31 points in the Suns' win against the Kings. Booker is regarded as one of the top-2 players at his position.

This means that Green, who averaged 21.0 points per game and was the Houston Rockets' top scorer in 2024-25, will have to play off the ball, a significant change for someone who is used to creating his own shot. At Suns media day, Green spoke about improving his mid-range attack for '25-26.

“I’ve been working on my in between game a lot more,” Green told reporters. “The mid-range. Float. Just the in between game because as the season went on it was either three or to the cup and they was forcing me to have to score that in between game. Not allowing me to get all the way to the rim. And they would take away the three a lot more.”

Without Green, here are my predictions using FanDuel to help Suns fans

Friday versus Clippers; Clippers -9.5 point favorites

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The Suns will have a tall task against one of the better trios in the NBA, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and former Phoenix guard Bradley Beal. Even though Beal is no longer a Sun, many will recall he failed to play in at least 55 games each of the last two seasons. Beal, 32, is a three-time All-Star.

I like the Suns to cover.

Phoenix's offense needs to step up. Booker, who is one of the NBA's top-11 scorers, must prove he can have an All-Star level performance on every night to keep the Suns afloat. Grayson Allen two years ago ranked No. 1 in 3-point percentage, but he needs to initiate his own offense tonight.

Mark Williams impressed me but I'd like to see him touch the ball more and show can be a double-double caliber player.

Especially against Ivica Zubac.

Don't like the odds of the Suns winning this game, but don't count them out. The Sacramento comeback was very impressive.

Saturday versus Nuggets; line unwritten

Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

I want to see what this chance will do for Jordan Ott's crew.

The Nuggets are going to be a monster team in the league, especially after they added former Sun Cam Johnson and their sixth man from their 2023 NBA Finals squad, Bruce Brown.

Brown, though he hasn't been an impact player, may not be the same but fit matters in the NBA. This is going to be a dangerous team.

I wouldn't expect the Suns to fare especially well considering the altitude and difficulty of playing at Ball Arena. If the line is between 10 and 12 points, I'd say the Nuggets will cover.

This article first appeared on Phoenix Suns on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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