Jalen Green Set to Return for Suns vs. 76ers, Coming Off the Bench

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green is expected to play tonight on Jan. 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers, but the team is taking a careful approach as he works back from a right hamstring strain. Suns coach Jordan Ott said Green will come off the bench as Phoenix manages his conditioning and “target minutes,” according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Ott added that when Green’s conditioning improves, “he’ll be back to starting.” Green has not appeared in an NBA game since Nov. 8, and has only suited up twice this season. That plan lands as Phoenix closes a back-to-back set against the Philadelphia 76ers, with the Suns continuing to calibrate roles and workloads in the middle of a busy stretch. Key details (fast) Jalen Green status: Expected to play, coming off bench (hamstring/conditioning). Why bench role: Minutes management and late-game “stored” minutes, per Ott via Rankin. Mark Williams watch: Ott said Williams is “looking good” to play on the second night of a back-to-back. Jalen Green Injury: Suns Will Manage Star’s Minutes as He Works Back From Hamstring Issue Ott’s comments signal Phoenix wants Green available – and impactful – later in the game, not just for an early burst. Rankin reported Ott tied the bench plan to target minutes and keeping something in the tank for crunch time. It’s also a conditioning call. Ott told Rankin that when Green’s conditioning is where it needs to be, the starting role returns. For the Suns, it’s a balancing act: Green’s shot creation can change the offense, but hamstrings tend to punish overconfidence. So a bench deployment can function like a ramp – get him in rhythm, monitor the burst, then let him close if all signs are good. What It Means for the Suns Rotation (and the “Starting Lineup Today” Question) If you’re wondering “Suns starting lineup today,” Ott basically answered it without turning it into a big announcement: Green is not starting yet because Phoenix is still building him up. That usually means Phoenix can keep its current first-unit continuity intact, then layer Green into the rotation as a scoring lever, especially helpful on the road and especially on tired legs in a back-to-back. The other ripple: Mark Williams’ availability matters for how the Suns structure the rest of the night. Ott said Williams was “looking good” toward playing in the second game of the back-to-back. If Williams goes, Phoenix can better control matchups, protect the paint, and avoid going too small for too long. How Old Is Jalen Green? Plus the Stats/Context Jalen Green is 23, born Feb. 9, 2002. On the “Jalen Green injury / minutes restriction” angle: this is exactly what Ott is describing—a controlled minutes plan designed to keep Green effective late while his conditioning returns. Jalen Green 2025-26 stats: two games played, 15.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg, while only playing 15 minutes per game. Last season, Green averaged 21 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg and appeared in every game for the Suns. How to Watch/Stream Suns vs. 76ers Here’s the full Suns vs. 76ers viewing guide for Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026: Tipoff time: 7:00 p.m. ET Location: Philadelphia (Xfinity Mobile Arena) TV (local markets) Phoenix TV: Arizona’s Family 3TV (KTVK) and Arizona Family Sports (KPHE), plus Suns+ Philadelphia TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia (NBCSP / NBCS-PH) Streaming options Fubo carries many regional sports feeds, and this matchup is listed as streamable there (regional restrictions may apply). Out-of-market (U.S.): NBA League Pass is typically the option if you’re outside both teams’ local TV territories, but blackouts apply depending on your location and the broadcast. In-market streaming: If you’re in the Phoenix or Philadelphia market, you’ll generally need access to the local broadcast partners (Suns+/AZFamily in Arizona; NBC Sports Philadelphia in the Philly area) via their supported platforms/TV providers. Important blackout note