Devin Booker Injury Update: Major Blow for Suns’ Playoff Ambition, as 4X All-Star Set to Miss 5 Crucial Games

The second half of the season has not been kind to the Phoenix Suns. After winning 14 of the last 18 games entering the All-Star break, the Suns have lost four of their recent six matches. To add to their woes, their sharpshooter, Devin Booker, once again fell prey to the injury bug. The All-Star guard sprained his right ankle in Saturday’s 118-109 loss to the Houston Rockets. With nearly a minute left in the game, Booker stepped on the foot of teammate Royce O’Neale while guarding Fred VanVleet on the perimeter.

As per Shams Charania of The Athletic, this ankle sprain could potentially sideline him for “at least the next seven-to-10 days.” While this is positive considering he won’t be out too long, on the other hand, the timing is less than ideal as the Phoenix are set to face some heavyweights during this period.

This stretch will kick off with a showdown against the defending champs, the Denver Nuggets, on Tuesday, before games against Eastern Conference foes in the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He could also potentially miss their next road game against the Celtics on March 14.

Booker has carried the Suns’ offense, alongside Kevin Durant, for the majority of the season, barring injuries, as the team is 31-19 with him in the lineup this season and just 4-17 without. The 27-year-old is averaging 27.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. Therefore, the timing of the injury couldn’t have been worse, as the Suns’ just slipped from the fifth to the seventh seed in the Western Conference Standings.

Is it too late for the Suns to turn their season around?

The Suns’ have grappled with injuries throughout the season. Their prolific big 3, which was expected to power the Suns’ first championship run, has failed to reach their potential due to injuries. They have only managed to play 23 games together all season, robbing them of the chance to build their chemistry. Now, with just 21 games remaining in the regular season and Booker sidelined, time is running out for the team to cultivate their synergy. However, Bradley Beal is still holding out hope. “We got time, but we can’t keep saying we got time. We only got (21) games left. It’s a good amount of games to really get us going and get us going right before the playoffs,” said Beal after OKC Thunder routed them 118-110 on Sunday.

Moreover, injuries have taken a toll on their offense. Beal’s recent five-game absence, before his return against the Rockets, led to a drop in their offensive rating from sixth to 11th in the league. Adding to their struggles is their 13th-ranked defense. With a 35-26 record and a challenging schedule ahead, the Suns’ path to a guaranteed playoff spot is uncertain. Do you think the Suns will be able to turn their fortunes around? Let us know in the comments!

Read More: “Sh*t’s Gotta Change”: Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic, and the Suns Set #1 Priority After Avoidable Loss vs OKC