Here’s a gut-wrenching update for Phoenix Suns fans: Devin Booker is out, and Jalen Green is questionable for Sunday’s showdown against the Miami Heat. But here’s where it gets even more concerning—both players were sidelined after sustaining injuries during Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, leaving the team’s lineup in a precarious position.
Late in the third quarter, Booker was casually decelerating as a whistle blew to his right. As he glanced in that direction, he inadvertently collided with Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu, resulting in a severe twist to his right ankle. The scene was hard to watch—Booker remained on the floor for roughly 30 seconds before slowly limping toward the locker room, visibly in pain and needing to pause several times along the way.
This isn’t Booker’s first ankle issue this season. Just 10 days ago, he sprained his left ankle in Miami, forcing him to miss one game. Though he returned quickly, it was clear he was playing through discomfort, as noted in recent reports (https://arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-suns/devin-booker-steve-nash/3609001/). And this is the part most people miss—Booker’s durability has been tested repeatedly, raising questions about how the Suns will manage his workload moving forward.
Meanwhile, Jalen Green’s situation is equally perplexing. After coming off the bench and playing just four minutes in the first quarter—logging four points, one rebound, and one assist—he mysteriously disappeared from the bench (https://x.com/KellanOlson/status/2014866567407009831?s=20). The team later announced he was ruled out due to “precautionary right hamstring tightness” (https://x.com/KellanOlson/status/2014878069149073420?s=20).
Green’s season has been a rollercoaster since arriving in Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant trade, which also brought Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (used to select Khaman Maluach). Out of 45 regular-season games, Green has played in just four, reaggravating his hamstring injury in two of them. In the two games he did finish, he averaged an impressive 20.5 points per game, leaving fans to wonder what could’ve been had he stayed healthy.
Here’s the controversial question: Is the Suns’ training staff doing enough to prevent these recurring injuries, or is it simply bad luck? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Amidst all this, Jordan Goodwin will continue to play through a jaw sprain, wearing a protective mask. His resilience is a bright spot in an otherwise challenging week for the Suns.
Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson and Douglas Santo contributed to this story, shedding light on a situation that has Suns fans on edge. Will Phoenix weather this storm, or will these injuries derail their season? Only time will tell.
