Phoenix Suns Hit Hard by Injuries in Atlanta Loss: A Gut-Punch on the Final Stop of the Road Trip
Friday night in Atlanta was supposed to be the exhale. The final stop on a grueling six-game road trip.
A chance to finish strong, head home with momentum, and let the Valley crowd show some love for a team that had battled through fatigue and tough matchups. Instead, the Suns walked off the floor with more than just a loss-they left with bruises that run deeper than the box score.
The big blow? Injuries.
And not the kind you shake off with a bag of ice and a day of rest. Jalen Green went down.
Then, in a moment that sent a chill through Suns fans everywhere, Devin Booker exited the arena on crutches. That image alone said more than any postgame quote ever could.
For most of this season, Phoenix had done a solid job of sidestepping the injury bug that's been sweeping through the league like a cold front in January. They bobbed and weaved, kept their core mostly intact.
But Friday night, the storm hit-and it hit hard. No warning.
No time to brace for impact. Just a gut punch in real time.
Now comes the waiting game. Waiting for medical updates.
Waiting for timelines. Waiting to know how long the Suns might be without two of their key contributors.
And in the meantime, trying to figure out what this means for a team that had started to find its rhythm.
It’s a cruel twist for a fanbase that’s seen this movie before. Just when things start to look up, the script flips.
The Suns have had their share of heartbreaks-injuries, near-misses, playoff exits. And this one stings not just because of the timing, but because of what it could mean for the road ahead.
But even in the middle of that frustration, there were performances worth spotlighting. Friday’s game against the Hawks-Game 45 on the season-still gave us a few bright spots, even if the overall mood was somber.
Bright Side Baller Nominees - Game 45 vs. Hawks
Devin Booker
Before the injury, Booker was in a groove.
He dropped 31 points on an efficient 12-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep. He added 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.
His +5 plus-minus underscored his impact. It was a classic Booker performance-smooth, controlled, and lethal-until it was abruptly cut short.
Grayson Allen
Allen continues to be a steady contributor.
He finished with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, though he struggled from three (1-of-5). What stood out was his defensive activity-4 steals-and his ability to keep the offense moving with 3 assists.
His +8 plus-minus led the team.
Collin Gillespie
Gillespie made the most of his minutes, putting up 16 points while hitting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
He also chipped in 6 boards, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Despite the -2 plus-minus, his energy and shot-making were a boost off the bench.
Oso Ighodaro
Ighodaro brought hustle and toughness, finishing with 8 points on 4-of-7 shooting.
He pulled down 7 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and added 2 steals and a block. His +3 plus-minus reflected his positive two-way impact.
Dillon Brooks
It was a rough shooting night for Brooks-just 4-of-18 from the field and 1-of-5 from deep.
Still, he grabbed 6 rebounds and added 2 assists and a steal. His -11 plus-minus told the story of a tough night overall.
Mark Williams
Williams had a quiet game offensively with 6 points on 3-of-8 shooting, but he contributed 5 rebounds, an assist, and 3 steals. He didn’t turn the ball over, but his -10 plus-minus suggests he struggled to make a big impact.
Bright Side Baller Leaderboard Update
J Good continues to lead the charge with another standout performance earlier in the week against the 76ers. His energy has been contagious, particularly for the second unit, and he’s now up to four Bright Side Baller honors on the season.
The Suns now return home with more questions than answers. The road trip didn’t end the way anyone hoped, and the injuries to Booker and Green cast a long shadow over what comes next.
But if there’s one thing this team has shown, it’s resilience. They’ve been here before.
They’ve picked themselves up before.
Now, they’ll have to do it again.