When Devin Booker exited Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets with an obvious ankle sprain, fans of the Phoenix Suns were immediately worried.
The team needs Booker and they especially need him now as the regular season begins to wind down.
On Monday morning, Shams Charania reported that the Suns are bracing to be without Booker for at least the next seven to ten days because of the ankle injury.
He noted that Phoenix is 31-19 with Booker and 4-7 without him.
Update on an expected timeline on Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker's right ankle sprain: pic.twitter.com/psi2abAm6r
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 4, 2024
Booker is a huge help for the Suns, scoring 27.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on 49.4% from the field and 37.9% from the three-point line.
The team has lost its last two games and will next face the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night before playing the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
If all goes according to plan, Booker could be coming back to the team when they face the Celtics again on March 14.
Looking ahead, the rest of Phoenix’s schedule is quite tough and they are facing off against some of the best teams in the league for the remainder of the regular season.
Right now, the Suns are clinging to their seventh spot in the West with a 35-26 record.
With Booker out for at least a week, the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, or Los Angeles Lakers could push past them and take their spot.
Booker is perhaps the most important play-maker for the Suns so losing him, especially now, could be very hard for Phoenix.
Head coach Frank Vogel will have to formulate a plan to fill the void left by Booker.
7-10 days isn’t too long in the grand scheme of things but this stretch of games without Booker could be downright devastating for the Suns.
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