The Phoenix Suns are going to have their work cut out for them in the next few weeks. That is because they are going to be without their NBA All-Star guard, Devin Booker, for at least a month as he suffered a left groin strain.
At that point, Booker will be re-evaluated, so it will likely be longer until we see him back on the court as he will be limited in how much conditioning he will be able to do. Because the team is in the middle of a six-game road trip, Booker returned to Phoenix for testing.
Booker had missed five out of the last seven games heading into their Christmas Day matchup with the Denver Nuggets because of groin and hamstring injuries. He made it through only four minutes before having to leave the game with what is now a pretty serious injury.
Those are big shoes that the Suns are going to have to fill as Booker is having an excellent season. He is averaging a career-high 27.1 points per game, pulling down 4.6 rebounds and handing out 5.6 assists in 34.6 minutes per game.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Devin Booker & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns’ depth is going to be tested in the coming weeks without Booker as they are already playing without Cam Johnson, who had a meniscus injury and has appeared in only eight games this season. Jae Crowder remains away from the team as well as he didn’t report to training camp, awaiting a trade to a new team.
Landry Shamet, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie and Duane Washington Jr. are all going to see larger roles with Booker sidelined. Washington had a career-high 26 points in the first game sans Booker on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies in a 125-108 Phoenix win.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Devin Booker & Phoenix Suns Updates
Offensively, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton are going to have to pick up the scoring load along with Chris Paul. On the season, the Suns are second in offensive rating but that will certainly be tested during Booker’s absence.
