When it feels like the Phoenix Suns big three are finally together, something or someone falls apart. The Suns (14-13) kick off a doubleheader against the Denver Nuggets (15-11) on Monday night in Denver. The rematch is set for Christmas evening in Phoenix at 8:30 p.m., wrapping up the NBA’s five-game holiday lineup. With Nikola Jokic leading the charge for the Nuggets, the Suns will lean on Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to keep things competitive.

Why? Because Devin Booker is still recovering from the groin injury. It’s not his fault because he had to turn on his afterburners. After all, Durant was out for 10 games, and Beal hasn’t fared any better with the same number of absences. Booker? He’s been the rock, he has only missed 2 games, including the first one against the Nuggets today. Booker left last Thursday’s game against the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter due to what was reported as a groin strain.

And Phoenix boss Mike Budenholzer has provided us with the latest developments, emphasizing a cautious, day-by-day approach to his recovery. “Yeah, the reports back are positive. You know, I think we just got to take it day by day,” he explained.

While he remained optimistic about Booker’s progress, Budenholzer admitted there wasn’t much new information to share, adding, “There’s nothing really new to update, but, uh, you know, he’s making good progress.” When asked whether the team expects both players to return by Christmas, Budenholzer remained tight-lipped, responding simply, “I have no update.”

Booker and Christmas’s injuries seem to have an unfortunate history. Remember back in 2022? He missed three games with a groin strain, came back on Christmas Day against the Nuggets, and then, bam! re-injured it. That setback benched him for the next 21 games. Talk about a rough holiday gift!

December seems unlucky for Devin Booker

December has been a rough month for Devin Booker over the years, with injuries piling up like an unwelcome holiday tradition. His most recent setback came in 2023 when he sprained his ankle during a game against Toronto. That injury forced him to miss one game before returning to face Memphis, but it set an all-too-familiar tone for his December struggles.

2022 wasn’t any kinder. Booker’s hamstring flared up during a game against New Orleans, forcing him to sit out two games. He returned with an unforgettable 58-point performance, pushing through a groin issue that would soon haunt him. Attempting to play on Christmas, he re-injured himself within five minutes, sidelining him for 21 games. If you’re a Suns fan, you probably remember holding your breath every time he touched the court that month.

Booker’s bad luck with December doesn’t stop there. Back in 2021, a hamstring injury benched him for seven games. In 2019, a forearm contusion kept him out for three games. And in 2018, a hamstring issue resurfaced before a back injury capped off the month, creating a perfect storm of setbacks.

For some reason, this time of year seems cursed for Booker. Every season, fans hope he’ll get through December unscathed, only to see history repeat itself. It’s tough to watch one of the league’s brightest stars fight against so many unlucky moments during a season meant for shining on the court, not sitting on the bench.