Devin Booker injury update: Phoenix Suns guard expected to be back against Brooklyn Nets

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns is expected to return to the court next week when they play against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Booker has been sidelined due to a groin injury since the Suns' Christmas Day game against the Denver Nuggets.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Booker could be back in action next week. The Suns will start a five-game road trip on Friday, and the three-time All-Star could return in the midst of it. Wojnarowski said:

"There's optimism Devin Booker could be back as soon as Tuesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets."

"Phoenix starts a five-game Eastern road trip. They have back-to-backs against Boston and Detroit on Friday and Saturday. They have a couple of days off before Brooklyn. This will be his 19th straight game out. He's been out since Christmas Day when he re-aggravated that groin injury. But he's increasing his workload, and I'm told that there's optimism again as soon as Tuesday against Brooklyn."

"This is Phoenix team that's still just one game out of fourth place in the West and they're 8-10 during this stretch without Booker. They've played fairly well without their best player."

The Suns currently have a 27-26 record in the Western Conference and have fallen to the eighth spot. They were at the top during the first two months of the season. However, due to Booker's absence, they've struggled and haven't been a serious threat.

Many expected Phoenix to be one of the top teams in the West this season, given how their 2021-22 campaign ended. After an embarrassing Game 7 loss against the Dallas Mavericks, fans anticipated the Suns to have a redemption season. But that's not happened as yet.

Expand Tweet

Also read: What do the Phoenix Suns do with Devin Booker set to miss at least a month?

Experts believe that the Suns' front office could provide a new partner for Devin Booker after this season

Since the Suns acquired Chris Paul, the team has turned its fortunes around. With Paul's leadership and Devin Booker's scoring prowess, Phoenix has reached new heights. But as the 12-time All-Star's performances started to drop, the team has faced different sorts of obstacles.

One expert believes the organization could start making "significant changes" to its roster. These changes will likely involve Paul, who's been on a decline since the start of the 2022-23 season.

According to Eric Pincus, the Suns are looking for a long-term replacement for Paul.

Expand Tweet

Also read: “Basketball is my happy place” – Devin Booker cites family tradition, feeling towards the sport as reasons why he took up the game