The Phoenix Suns fell short against the Portland Trail Blazers in their NBA Play-In Tournament matchup on Tuesday, with Jalen Green sending a message to the referees after the game.
Green led the way for the Suns in their 114-110 loss at home. He finished with 35 points, five rebounds and two assists. He had the opportunity to win the game, but he missed a go-ahead 3-point shot with less than 10 seconds left.
Jordan Goodwin grabbed the offensive rebound, but Jrue Holiday stole the ball and passed it to Jerami Grant for an exclamation slam with 0.6 seconds left. The Blazers earned the No. 7 seed in the West and will play the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
The Suns have one more game on Friday. They take on the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers–Golden State Warriors play-in matchup.
Green Comments on Suns’ Loss, Takes Aim at Refs
GettyJalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Green went toe-to-toe with Blazers All-Star Deni Avdija, who was able to attack the basket with ease late in the fourth quarter. Avdija scored the go-ahead layup plus the and-one with 16 seconds remaining to give the Blazers a 112-110 lead.
Speaking to reporters in his postgame media availability, Green was asked about his thoughts on their loss and Avdija’s performance. He didn’t comment on the Blazers star, but he seemingly had a message for the referees about making fair calls on both sides.
“Calling that same foul,” Green said. “They got to call that both ways if they gonna call it for one person all night. So, just my opinion.”
For context, Avdija went to the free throw line 13 times and knocked down eight of them. He had the same number of attempts as Devin Booker, while Green went 5-for-6.
Update on His Right Knee
GettyJalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns leaves the first half of the NBA game with an injury at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 08, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
In his first season with the Suns, Green has been plagued by right hamstring injuries. He played just 32 games and averaged 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals.
Green also missed the final two games of the regular season due to a sore right knee. He was cleared to play on Tuesday and was on the floor for nearly 39 minutes.
When asked about how his knee is feeling and if he’ll be good to go next game, Green said, “I have no clue. I will be getting my body right though for sure.”
Despite the frustration about their loss, Green praised the Blazers team for knocking down 17 shots from beyond the arc. The Blazers averaged just 14.5 3-pointers made this season.
“They shot it well tonight,” Green said. “That was that. That’s the best they shot all year.”
The Suns have a few days of rest before hosting either the Clippers or Warriors at the PHX Arena on Friday to determine the No. 8 seed in the West.
Suns’ Jalen Green Sends Message to NBA Refs After Loss to Blazers