After originally being listed as probable, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will make his return tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team announced.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!INJURY UPDATE: Devin Booker is AVAILABLE for tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/xQoCdEnySO
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 11, 2024
Booker had missed the last four games with a right ankle sprain. The Suns (37-27) went 2-2 in these contests. Booker will not be on a minutes restriction tonight, AZ Central’s Duane Rankin reports.
Devin Booker won't be on a minute restriction, Frank Vogel said. #Suns #Cavs
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 11, 2024
Booker suffered the injury in the final minute of last Saturday’s loss to the Rockets.
Devin Booker in serious pain. Limping to the locker room pic.twitter.com/3s4X06LucK
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 3, 2024
Suns’ superstar Kevin Durant, who had a season-high 45 points in Saturday’s 117-107 loss to the Celtics, spoke on what it would mean to get Booker back.
“Another guy that can create for himself and create for others,” Durant said after the loss. “Phenomenal leader, someone that we look to all game. I am excited to get him back, but we definitely don’t want to rush him back. It is an important part of the season, and we need him to be as healthy as possible. If we can buy another couple hours, another couple days for him to get him right, we definitely could do that but we miss him out on the floor.”
The numbers don’t lie about how much better the Suns are with Booker on the floor.
Suns record by which of the big 3 are playing:
KD/Book/Beal: 14-9
Just KD/Book: 12-8
Just KD/Beal: 4-4
Just Book/Beal: 5-1
Just KD: 2-4
Just Book: 2-1
— Cody Hunt (@co_dhunt) March 10, 2024
Eric Gordon (left knee contusion) was added to the report as out yesterday, while Josh Okogie (lower abdominal strain) and Nassir Little (left knee inflammation) remain out for the Suns.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are banged up themselves with six players, including Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus, all out due to injury.
We will see how much of a difference Booker makes for the Suns tonight at 4:30 p.m. MST.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
