The Phoenix Suns announced on Sunday that star guard Devin Booker would be re-evaluated in one week after sustaining a right ankle sprain in Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks on the road.

What Devin Booker’s Injury Means for the Phoenix Suns

Booker’s injury appeared to be serious for the Suns after he collided with Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu late in the third quarter.

He ended up making his way to the locker room with a ‘big limp’ on Friday as he missed the remainder of the game, resulting in Phoenix losing to Atlanta. 

“There was a little grieving process after the Atlanta game, then you move forward,” first-year head coach Jordan Ott said pregame. “That’s what this game is about. How you overcome the next hurdle that’s thrown at you.”

Booker is a key contributor to the Suns’ surprise with new group after failing the ‘big three’ experiment with him, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal this past season. Appearing in 41 games throughout the season, he leads Phoenix in points per game (25.4) and assists per game (6.2).

Suns Return To Phoenix After Playing Six Games on the Road

The team returned to Phoenix after a six-game road trip, where they went 3-3, and began a five-game homestand on Sunday with a loss to the Miami Heat. The extended time at home would benefit Booker and the Suns as he focuses on recovery before returning to the court.

Ott and guard Grayson Allen told reporters what Phoenix misses when they have Booker and guard Jalen Green, who also missed Sunday’s game due to a “precautionary right hamstring tightness,” together on the half-court offense.

“He’s able to create that first domino so many times and make the right play,” Ott said of Booker’s leadership. “Talked about it all year, his ability to get off of it at the perfect time. Have a feel for the game, have a feel for his teammates, is unmatched and unlike anything like I’ve been around. Without him out there, their ability to switch really affected us.”

Updates on Jalen Green

Green, who missed 41 games in the season due to hamstring issues, also returned for the Suns on Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He finished with seven points, two rebounds, and three assists.

According to Ott, the MRI revealed that Green’s injury did not show “anything new” in damage to the right hamstring. He also called it “good news,” with a sense of relief.

“We have to keep the pace up within the half court for the whole time that we’re out there… don’t make it so easy for teams to just switch and sit with a crowd and force us into some one on one stuff,” Allen said. “We’ve done it, we’ve done a great job of it throughout the year. It’s just different without Book out there, that you have to play that way for 48 minutes.”

As the Suns continue their five-game homestand, they look to add in the “next-man-up” mentality while patiently waiting for the returns of Booker and Green to the court.

Phoenix, sitting at sixth in Western Conference standings (27-19), will welcome the visiting Brooklyn Nets (12-31) at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday.

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