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Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green talks high school jersey retirement

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green described his emotions after his high school jersey retirement and offered an injury update.

The short-handed Phoenix Suns fell to the Houston Rockets, 114-92, on Monday, Nov. 24, in the second of a back-to-back to end a three-game homestand before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Phoenix (11-7) trailed by as many as 15 points in having its three-game winning streak snapped. The Rockets scored 26 points off 20 Suns turnovers.

Dillon Brooks paced Phoenix with 29 points against his former team while Devin Booker added 18 on 5-of-13 shooting.

Amen Thompson led Houston with 28 points while Aaron Holiday went for 22 off the bench, hitting 6-of-10 from 3.

Suns starting center Mark Williams sat out the second of a back-to-back with right knee injury management. He has yet to play in the second of back-to-back games with his new team.

Jalen Green (right hamstring strain), Grayson Allen (right quad contusion) and Ryan Dunn (right wrist sprain) were also out for Phoenix.

The Rockets (11-4) began their four-game road trip without Kevin Durant, who is listed out for personal reasons.

The Suns traded Durant to Houston for Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, 7-footer Khaman Maluach. Durant will also miss Houston’s next game on Nov. 26, against the Golden State Warriors.

Tari Eason (right oblique strain) and Jae’Sean Tate (personal reasons) were also out

Turnover difference, Rockets lead Suns at half

Houston has scored 18 points off 11 turnovers in building a 59-50 halftime lead.

Jordan Goodwin has a game-high four turnovers, while Devin Booker has three.

The Rockets have led by as many as 13 points.

Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie each have a game-high 13 points to lead the Suns. Amen Thompson and Aaron Holiday each have 13 to pace the Rockets.

Houston is shooting 50% from the field overall, going 8-of-19 from 3.

Udoka expects motivated Brooks vs former team

The Suns will have their 10th different starting lineup as Nick Richards is replacing Mark Williams, who will miss the second of a back-to-back with right knee injury management. Williams has yet to play in a back-to-back for the Suns, who will have their third one Monday.

The Suns are starting Devin Booker, Jordan Goodwin, Dillon Brooks, Royce O’Neale and Richards.

The Rockets are starting Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun. Okogie played in three seasons (2022-25) for the Suns.

Houston will face Brooks for the first time since the Kevin Durant trade. Rockets coach Ime Udoka praised Brooks for the passion and intensity he brought to Houston for two seasons.

“We loved it,” Udoka said. “If you know me, I don’t mind that at all. What he did for our organization was invaluable.”

Udoka also has an idea what Brooks will bring to the game against his former team.

“Motivation,” Udoka said. “He’s having the freedom to do a lot of things with some guys missing with Jalen (Green) specifically. Playing at an extremely high level, scoring and shooting it. Being extra aggressive. He’s going to bring that edge regardless on a nightly basis against everybody.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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