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Blame Murphy’s Law, I guess. Just as the Suns get healthy and finally look ahead to the return of Deandre Ayton in four days’ time and, another big injury strikes.
This time, it’s the guy they cannot afford to lose. Devin Booker, who looked visibly affected by his wrapped left wrist in two home games this week, called status of the injury day-to-day after practice in Mexico City on Friday.
When asked if Booker would play on Saturday against the Spurs in the city where he once put up 39 on back-to-back nights as a NBA sophomore, coach Monty Williams said “we’ll see.”
Booker did not participate in practice Friday, Williams said.
— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) December 13, 2019
During home games against Minnesota and Memphis this week, Booker played with a wrap on the same part of his arm. After the Grizzlies game, in which more of his arm was taped than before, Booker said he was “fine.” When asked if he re-aggravated the injury or made it worse during the Grizzlies game, Booker said no.
This would be a particularly devastating loss not only for the Suns’ momentum as a team, but Booker individually. The Suns are in the middle of a stretch in which they play about a dozen games Western Conference against playoff contenders. Welcoming Ayton back also makes this stretch important.
And for Booker, hitting another injury snag when he’s playing so well would be tough.
To follow up on whatever was going on with Devin Booker and his right hand/wrist/arm/? last night, he's now played in 24 straight games to start the year. That's the longest consecutive games streak for him in over two seasons. Hasn't even come up on the injury report yet.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) December 12, 2019
Whether or not Booker plays against the Spurs, he’s clearly been hampered by the injury.
Booker was 6-17 from the field for 15 points against Memphis and passed up several shot opportunities in crunch time with the game still in reach.
San Antonio is just 9-15 this year but they could easily beat a Booker-less Suns team south of the border.