Ahead of the Phoenix Suns' 110-100 Christmas-day win over the Denver Nuggets, coach Mike Budenholzer provided an update on Devin Booker, who has now missed Phoenix's last three games with a left groin injury.
"He did a little bit of court work tonight. I would say he's progressing pretty much as we expected," Budenholzer said.
"He's progressing pretty much as we expected."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 26, 2024
Mike Budenholzer on Devin Booker (groin).
Addressed 117-90 loss at Denver, Phoenix's worst margin of defeat this season.
Rookie Oso Ighodaro said Suns didn't play hard enough.
"I don't think any of us met our standard." #Suns https://t.co/AEjNCm2nP7 pic.twitter.com/PkdoZBOn56
Booker suffered his injury during last Thursday's loss against the Indiana Pacers. He was then ruled out for two games and due for re-evaluation before the Christmas matchup.
His injury was originally labeled as left groin soreness, but changed to a left groin strain on Tuesday's injury report.
According to reports , Booker and Grayson Allen (concussion protocol) did not participate in practice on Tuesday leading up to the Nuggets game. Allen has also missed the last three games.
Devin Booker and Grayson Allen did not participate in Suns practice today. Still awaiting on his status but that’s never a good sign
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 24, 2024
The Suns (15-14) lost their first two games without Booker and struggled mightily, but were able to rebound in a big way against Denver to pick up their first win on Christmas since 2009.
Booker is averaging 25.1 points, 6.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game He had not missed any games this season before this injury, as only Tyus Jones and Royce O'Neale have played in all 29 games for Phoenix.
The Suns have a few big games to close out 2024, so they would like Booker back sooner rather than later if he is able to go.
The Dallas Mavericks come to town on Friday before Phoenix travels to play the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The Suns then take on the Memphis Grizzlies at home on New Year's Eve.
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