1. Quick snapshot
Jalen Green, the guard for the Houston Rockets (now recently moved to the Phoenix Suns in a trade) is dealing with a recent right hamstring strain. Because of the injury, there is confirmation that he was “on a time restriction” for his recent game, playing 23 minutes in his first outing back. So to answer the headline: yes — he appears to be under a minutes restriction tonight, or at least very likely, given the context.
2. Why a minutes restriction?
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He missed the first eight games of the season due to the hamstring injury.
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Fantasy‐data sources explicitly note that when Green returns, “he may still hold significant fantasy value if Green has a minutes restriction during his first few games back.”
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In his first game back from the injury, he logged 23 minutes — clearly not full starter minutes for him.
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The minutes restriction helps manage his load and reduce risk of aggravating the injury.
3. Last 10 games: Minutes & production
According to StatMuse, over his last 10 games, Green played 278 minutes, which averages out to about 27.8 minutes per game.
In that span he averaged:
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13.1 points per game
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4.7 rebounds per game
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2.8 assists per game
That average is lower than his standard starter role when fully healthy (he has averaged ~21 points per game in 2024-25 regular season). The reduced minutes correlate with the injury management.
4. What this means for tonight
Given the above data and the fact that his first game back was explicitly on a time restriction, expect the following:
Likely scenario:
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Green will not play his usual starter’s full minutes (which might be 30+ minutes) tonight.
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His minutes might be capped somewhere in the ~20-25 minute range (as seen with his first game back: 23).
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Expect a more limited role: fewer minutes means fewer shot attempts, fewer plays run through him, possibly resting in the 4th quarter or coming off the bench.
Implications for teams / fantasy / fans:
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For fantasy basketball players: don’t expect full production tonight. If you rely on him, consider adjusting expectations or using a backup.
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For team strategy: the Suns (or Rockets, depending on context) will likely stagger his minutes, pair him with other primary guards and plan for a phased return.
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For fans: enjoy his time on the court, but know he is being managed. Don’t expect a full 30-35 minute explosion right away.
5. Things to monitor
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The official pre‐game report: If the team lists him as “probable” with a minutes restriction note, that’s a clear sign. For example, ESPN notes he is “probable” with hamstring concerns.
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His position in the lineup: Are they starting him but pulling in the 3rd quarter, or is he coming off the bench?
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His minutes per quarter: If he opens strong but is gone by the 3rd or 4th, the restriction is active.
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The number of shot attempts / touches: The fewer the minutes, the fewer opportunities that may come.
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His reaction and visible mobility: If he appears guarded or restricted in movement, the load‐management is real.
6. Final Thoughts
Yes — Jalen Green is almost certainly on a minutes restriction tonight, given his recent hamstring injury and his limited minutes in his first game back. Over his last 10 games, his minutes and production have both been suppressed compared to full‐health levels. For fans, fantasy players, and bettors, the key takeaway: expect a managed return, not full usage. If his team is in a must-win mode or he has been cleared more fully, that could change, but for now, caution is warranted.
