ATLANTA – On Friday night in Atlanta, the Phoenix Suns didn’t just lose another game; they are without any certainty of what the future roster will look like after two injuries to their stars, Devin Booker and Jalen Green.

Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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Phoenix still hasn’t beaten the Hawks in Atlanta since March 2014, but this one cut deeper because it followed a familiar, uncomfortable script of momentum interrupted by health. Four minutes in, Jalen Green grabbed his hamstring and was back in the locker room. Late in the third, Devin Booker, already at 31 points and fully dictating the game’s rhythm, rolled his ankle after running into Onyeka Okongwu’s foot and hobbled to the locker room as well.

Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles past Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Before Booker exited, Phoenix’s offense was humming. They generated efficient looks, controlled pace, and forced Atlanta into reactive defense. Afterward, everything tightened. Atlanta switched more aggressively, crowded ball handlers, and turned the Suns’ offense into a slowed-down version, exactly where Phoenix becomes prone to mistakes and unclear looks.

Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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The frustration lies with Suns fans, as this wasn’t about effort or preparation. It was about how thin the margin is when health wobbles. The emotional gut punch isn’t just the loss, it’s the uncertainty that follows it. The immediate question looms of the injury status of Jalen Green and Devin Booker. Phoenix’s ceiling remains high, but nights like this reinforce a truth contenders hate to admit: durability is a skill, the best ability is availability, and depth isn’t optional. If the Suns ended up avoiding serious injuries to Green and Booker, they would be able to breathe a little easier.

Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen