The Phoenix Suns ruled out star guard Devin Booker with right ankle soreness less than 30 minutes before their preseason home opener against the Detroit Pistons.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker has averaged 11.0 points on 36% shooting, 3.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game through the Suns’ first two preseason contests, both wins. According to AZ Central’s Duane Rankin, Booker’s absence is being viewed as a precaution.
Coach Mike Budenholzer praised Booker in his pregame press conference and noted what he has seen from him in his short time with the Suns so far.
“I think his steadiness, his kind of work ethic, professionalism, you know, he’s just a very honest and still kind of easy going,” Budenholzer said of Booker. “I love being around him every day. The work that he puts in is just awesome; the focus, the attention to detail. I had the ultimate respect for him from a distance and now being around him. It’s just gone to another level.”
Phoenix will start rookie Ryan Dunn in Booker’s place alongside Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Mason Plumlee, all four of whom have started the first two preseason contests. This is a very positive sign for how highly the Suns view Dunn, who has averaged 9.5 points while shooting 5-of-11 from 3 and 3.5 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per game so far in the preseason.
Suns starting lineup vs. Pistons
Tyus Jones
Bradley Beal
Ryan Dunn
Kevin Durant
Mason PlumleeDevin Booker (right ankle soreness) OUT . Is being viewed as a precaution. #Suns
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 12, 2024
The Pistons are starting Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren. Detroit fell to the Suns 105-97 in a special preseason game at Michigan State Tuesday.
Jusuf Nurkić (left middle finger) and Grayson Allen (personal, achilles soreness) were already out for tonight’s matchup for the Suns.
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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
