Phoenix Suns’ standout player Devin Booker endured a setback during Saturday’s match against the Houston Rockets, sustaining a sprained right ankle. Fortunately, X-rays revealed no significant damage.
Head coach Frank Vogel addressed concerns, stating, “We’ll see how he responds overnight,” to reporters.
Booker incurred the injury in the fourth quarter, seemingly by stepping on a teammate’s foot while on defensive duty.
Here’s all the injury updates Frank Vogel had on Devin Booker’s ankle, Royce O’Neale’s ankle, Bradley Beal’s ejection, and Jusuf Nurkic’s neck pic.twitter.com/6xZdX5bYUy
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) March 3, 2024
Devin Booker headed to locker room with apparent injury
Hope he's okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/3nG7wPLxha
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 3, 2024
The injury occurred with a little over a minute remaining in the game, following a 38-minute effort where he contributed 24 points and five assists, albeit with five turnovers.
The night proved challenging for the Suns overall. Bradley Beal’s return from a five-game injury absence was marred by an ejection following an altercation with Jalen Green. Royce O’Neale also suffered an ankle sprain, and Jusuf Nurkić sustained a neck sprain.
Regarding Beal’s ejection, O’Neale emphasized, “You can do so much talking, it’s the NBA, but if you’re yelling in somebody’s face, that’s a whole different dynamic.”
"It's cool."
Royce O'Neale on ankle injury. Devin Booker stepped on his ankle.
"It happened so fast."
On Bradley Beal ejection after Jalen Green exchange: "You can do so much talking, it's the NBA but if you yelling in somebody's face, that's a whole different dynamic." #Suns pic.twitter.com/jF6nteuzR9
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 3, 2024
Kevin Durant confessed he wasn’t aware of Beal’s ejection until the fourth quarter.
The defeat dropped the Suns to a 35-25 record for the season, maintaining their sixth position in the Western Conference and narrowly ahead of the Sacramento Kings for the first Play-In Tournament spot.
Kevin Durant said he didn't even know Bradley Beal was ejected until the 4th quarter. #Suns pic.twitter.com/sa7YDigPAg
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 3, 2024
Despite the loss, the priority for the Suns remains Booker’s health. The trio of Booker, Beal, and Durant has showcased potent synergy in limited appearances this season, outscoring opponents by 12.7 points per 100 possessions when on the court together.
Preserving their fitness for the upcoming playoffs is paramount for the Suns as they aim to solidify their chemistry and vie for a championship. Booker’s injury, fortunately, appears to be minor, offering a sigh of relief for the Phoenix franchise.
