PHOENIX – The first game back home after a long road trip is supposed to feel like relief. For the Phoenix Suns, tonight’s matchup against Miami feels heavier than that; it’s a refresh colliding with concern.
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Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles past Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Following two devastating injuries to Devin Booker and Jalen Green, the Suns will need to navigate the possibility of moving forward without them. Booker is out for Sunday night’s matchup, as his injured ankle still has some unanswered questions surrounding it. Jalen Green, on the other hand, has been listed as questionable, which shows that the Phoenix Suns could have dodged a major bullet.
Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) goes down with an injury as guard Jordan Goodwin (23) and forward Oso Ighodaro (11) look on against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Miami thrives on discomfort as head coach Erik Spoelstra’s teams force you to make second and third reads. For Phoenix, that means Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie, and Grayson Allen aren’t just “filling gaps.” They’re defining whether this roster can survive variance. Brooks’ shot selection, Allen’s three-point shooting, Gillespie’s tempo control, these are small levers that swing games when Phoenix needs it most.
Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
For Suns fans, the questions about what the team will look like will be flying. Do the Suns defend with urgency after travel fatigue? Does the ball move with purpose or panic? Can secondary scorers punish Miami? If Phoenix shows composure, shared scoring, and defensive buy-in, this game becomes proof of concept. If not, it’s a reminder that health isn’t the only thing contenders need; clarity is.
Who steps up for the Phoenix Suns after injuries to Devin Booker and Jalen Green?
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
