The Phoenix Suns are heading into tonight’s matchup against the Miami Heat with a major cloud hanging over them - and it’s shaped like Devin Booker.
Booker, who had been putting together another standout performance with 31 points in just 28 minutes, went down late in the third quarter of the Suns’ recent 110-103 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The injury - a right ankle sprain suffered after stepping on Onyeka Okongwu’s foot - halted what had been a promising night for Phoenix.
At the time of his exit, the Suns held a 91-84 lead. Without him, the offense sputtered, and they were outscored 26-12 in the fourth quarter.
That’s not just a collapse - that’s the kind of swing that can shake a team’s confidence.
Now, the Suns are facing a tough reality: Booker is out, and he’ll be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. That’s a significant stretch without their offensive engine, and the numbers back it up.
Phoenix is just 1-3 in games without Booker this season, averaging only 100 points per game in those contests. That’s a steep drop-off for a team that leans heavily on his scoring and playmaking to keep the offense humming.
Grayson Allen is expected to take on a larger role in Booker’s absence, but this is going to be a collective effort. The Suns’ depth will be tested, and players like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal - assuming Beal is healthy - will have to shoulder more of the load.
The team can’t afford to rely on one or two players to fill the void. It’s going to take smarter ball movement, more consistent shooting from the perimeter, and a commitment to defense to stay afloat in the Western Conference.
The injury itself appears to be more than just a minor tweak. According to medical evaluations, Booker may be dealing with a Grade II or III sprain, with a potential risk of an avulsion fracture.
That kind of injury isn’t just painful - it’s the type that requires patience and careful rehab. The Suns will need to be cautious here.
Rushing Booker back too soon could jeopardize not just this season, but his long-term health.
And it’s not just Booker on the injury report. Jalen Green is listed as questionable for tonight’s game due to a hamstring issue, adding another layer of uncertainty to the Suns’ already thin rotation.
Head coach Jordan Ott summed it up simply after the Hawks game: “Pretty unlucky.” But luck aside, this is a defining moment for the Suns. They’ve got the talent, but now they’ll need to prove they have the resilience and chemistry to navigate a brutal stretch without their star guard.
The Heat won’t make things easy. But for Phoenix, the next few weeks are about survival - and maybe even discovering a new gear.
If they can find a way to stay competitive and keep the ship steady until Booker returns, they’ll be better for it. But make no mistake: the road just got a whole lot tougher.