Suns’ Big Three debut comes to halt after Green’s exit

Green, acquired from the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston over the summer, had an electric performance just days earlier. He scored 29 points in 23 minutes on Thursday and set a team record for most 3-pointers in a debut with six. However, Saturday told a different story for the 23-year-old.

During the first quarter, Green appeared to aggravate his right hamstring on a drive and was helped off the court by team staff. The Suns guard had been dealing with a hamstring injury since the start of the season and Thursday’s game marked his first in a Phoenix uniform.

The timing couldn’t have been worse, as Green, Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks were all cleared to play together for the first time this season.

With Green’s status uncertain, the Suns will have to get creative in the games ahead. Whether that means bracing for bad news and an extended recovery or simply waiting a few games, his injury throws a wrench into the team’s plans just as the new Big Three were finally back to full strength.

Fans had eagerly awaited the debut of the retooled trio, something they had been anticipating since the roster overhaul this summer. After seasons marked by inconsistency and disappointment with their previous Big Three, Green’s absence is another tough pill to swallow.

As Phoenix regroups and awaits word on Green’s official status, the question remains how the team will move forward if another starter is sidelined for an extended period.