Mar 25, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports
PHOENIX – Three games remain before the All-Star break for the Phoenix Suns (31-21) and looks to bounce back from latest rocky stretch. Phoenix 4-4 in last eight games, but 1-2 in last three with a blown leads vs. the Golden State Warriors in their last contest. Saturday sees the Suns face off against the Philadelphia 76ers (29-22)
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ESPNBet has the Suns as a -125 favorite and set the spread at -1.5, with an over/under at 223.5. The last two these two teams faced off was in Philadelphia on Jan. 20th, where the final score had Phoenix come out one top 116-110. A massive part of victory was superstar guard Devin Booker, who is one of the names listed on Saturday’s injury report.
Feb 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns injured guards Jalen Green (left) and Devin Booker against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Injury report for Saturday’s matchup:
Sixers:
Joel Embiid (Knee) – Questionable
Paul George (Suspension) – Out
Suns:
Devin Booker (Ankle) Questionable
Jalen Green (Hip) – Questionable
Grayson Allen (Knee) – Out
Isiaih Livers (Shoulder- Out
May 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and center Joel Embiid (21) shake hands after defeating the Boston Celtics in game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Booker dropped 27 against the 76ers in their last matchup, but he has missed seven straight games since injuring his ankle vs. the Atlanta Hawks. Losing the four-time All-Star is a massive hit to the team’s offensive game, but also eliminates another body to throw at the 76ers dynamic guard combo of Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe.
Maxey is the fifth leading scorer in the NBA with 28.8 a game, and despite only scoring 20 points in the teams’ last matchup, he’s capable of dropping 50 on a dime. In the past nine games, the 25-year-old has taken a step back scoring-wise, averaging 23.3 a game, and has increased his playing making by recording 7.8 assists per game during the same span.
Feb 5, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) dunks the ball in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The leading scoring for Philadelphia last time, Edgecombe, has struggled since then, averaging 12.6 points per game on 42% shooting and 30.6 3-point shooting. The toll of being on the road for the past few months has taken a hit on the rookie’s production and could be looking forward to the upcoming All-Star break.
Regardless, the duo have complete saved the 76ers season from the absences of Embiid and George from injury. Maxey and Edgecombe have the team fourth in turnovers and ninth in free throw attempts. The supporting cast has done a great job of playing their part around the two dynamic guards, helping the franchise be sixth in steals and fifth in blocks.
The Sixers have six players averaging at least one steal a game, while Maxey and Edgecombe are the top two, Kelly Oubre and Dominick Barlow provide nice length at the win position to force deflections on ball carriers. The Suns have struggled in protecting the ball being 20th in turnovers.
Feb 5, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) defends a shot by Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Backup center Adem Bona is the main rim protector, leading his squad with 1.3 a game. Behind him is Embiid, whose status for Saturday is still unclear. Bona stands at 6’10 with 7’4 wingspan and a near 40-inch vertical. Phoenix is 14th in drives and has a shot diet that favors three-pointers, which could help neutralize Bona’s leaping ability.
Feb 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) against Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
If Green and Booker both can’t go, the Suns will need to rely on forward Dillon Brooks offensively, who has been on fire in recent games. In the last seven games, Brooks is averaging 25.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1 steal a game on 45.9% from beyond the arc. He’s been a fringe All-Star all season, but recently he’s playing at an All-NBA level. Oubre will likely have the assignment of guarding Brooks, which is the matchup to watch on Saturday.
Suns inch toward health, then take another hit ahead of matchup against 76ers
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
