The Phoenix Suns were hoping to get off to a great start to the second half of the season, but those plans hit a major roadblock Thursday night.
Devin Booker, the heartbeat of the Suns' offense, fouled out early during a high-stakes Western Conference showdown against the San Antonio Spurs. The team later confirmed that the five-time All-Star would not return due to a sore right hip, leaving a large void in the lineup.
The Phoenix Suns guard was trying to find his rhythm after the All-Star break before his night was cut short due to injury. Booker checked out, playing only 9 minutes, finishing with five points and 1 rebound. He struggled to find his stroke from deep, going 0-of-2 from beyond the arc, but he was active at the rim and the charity stripe to keep the Suns competitive early.
After the break, the Suns (32-24) are locked in a tight race to avoid the play-in tournament. Facing a red-hot San Antonio Spurs team that entered the night with a seven-game winning streak, the Suns already suffered a loss due to Dillon Brooks' one-game suspension.
With Booker sidelined, the onus falls on Jalen Green and Mark Williams. The Spurs took full advantage of Booker's absence, fueled by impressive performances from Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, and Devin Vassell, who all posted 20+ points in the third quarter. The Spurs lead 89-63 heading into the third quarter at the Moody Center.
Attention has now turned to the severity of Booker's hip issue. He has already dealt with managing a right ankle injury throughout February, and any extended absence of the Suns' leading scorer, who averages 25.2 points per game, could be devastating to their seeding hopes.
The Sons are back in action soon, and Wally will be holding his breath for an update on his superstar's status.
