Over the past few seasons, the well-documented feud between Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić has been fiery at certain times and calmed down recently.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With the two teams facing each other for the third time this year, the rivalry will have to wait another day as both players are out with injuries.
Just as Bradley Beal came back on Dec. 19 against the Indiana Pacers after missing three games, the Suns returned to full strength for the first time since the early goings of the season. However, that only lasted about three quarters as Booker went down with groin soreness in that same matchup and has been out ever since.
Sidelined the past three games, Booker’s injury changed from groin soreness to a left groin strain and will remain inactive tonight. Up until the injury, the Kentucky product was averaging 25.1 points, 6.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 26 games.
As for Dončić, he is dealing with a left calf strain, the same injury that both Beal and Kevin Durant have sustained this season. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Dončić will miss at least a month of action after suffering it on Christmas vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will be re-evaluated in one month after sustaining a left calf strain on Christmas Day, sources tell ESPN,” Charania said.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will be re-evaluated in one month after sustaining a left calf strain on Christmas Day, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/HVrzlaEzOR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 27, 2024
This is a massive blow for the Mavericks who are No. 4 in the Western Conference with a 19-11 record and being 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Slovenian is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game across 22 games.
Also out tonight, Bol Bol (left knee contusion) and Grayson Allen (concussion) won’t suit up for the Suns while Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) and Dereck Lively II (left hip contusion) will miss the clash in Phoenix.
With Phoenix 2-0 this season against Dallas, the Suns take on the Mavericks at 7 p.m. MST tonight inside Footprint Center.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
