If you were watching the Suns-Heat game last night, your heart probably stopped for a second. Seeing Devin Booker go down is never easy, but seeing him limp straight to the locker room after landing awkwardly? That's the stuff of nightmares for folks in the Valley.
Honestly, the Suns injury report today is basically a story about dodging bullets and waiting for a reinforcements. We’ve got the latest on Book’s ankle, the looming return of Jalen Green, and a few depth pieces that have the medical staff working overtime.
What’s the word on Devin Booker’s ankle?
Let's get the big one out of the way. During the third quarter against Miami, Booker landed on his left ankle after a block attempt. It looked bad. He headed to the tunnel immediately, and for a good twenty minutes, Suns Twitter was a dark place.
But then, he came back.
He didn't just come back; he played the fourth quarter. Coach Jordan Ott called him a "warrior," which is coach-speak for "he’s tough as nails." However, just because he finished the game doesn't mean he's 100%. The team knows that ankle is going to stiffen up once the adrenaline wears off.
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Right now, he's officially being monitored for swelling. Since the Suns are in the middle of a long road trip, the travel and flights aren't exactly doing him any favors. Don't be surprised if he's a game-time decision for the next tilt against Detroit. They might play it safe.
The Jalen Green waiting game
While Book is the headline, everyone is asking: where is Jalen Green?
Green has been sidelined with a pesky hamstring injury for weeks now. The good news is that he's been cleared for contact. He's been doing on-court work and looks explosive again.
The original timeline suggested a mid-January return, and we are right on the doorstep of that. Reports indicate he could be back as early as January 17th.
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Think about that for a second. A healthy backcourt of Booker and Green? That’s a lot of scoring. But the timing is frustrating because just as Green is ready to jump back in, Booker might need a night or two off. It feels like this team is playing a never-ending game of "who’s available?"
The rest of the rotation: Who’s in and who’s out?
It’s not just the stars. The depth is getting tested.
- Jamaree Bouyea: He’s still in concussion protocol. You can’t rush those. He’s likely out until at least January 15th, depending on how he clears the final testing hurdles.
- Collin Gillespie: He’s been the unsung hero. With the injuries in the backcourt, Gillespie has stepped into a starting role and is actually playing his way into the Sixth Man of the Year conversation. He’s healthy and carrying a massive load right now.
- Mark Williams: The big man is healthy and coming off a monster 14-rebound performance. He’s becoming the anchor this team desperately needed after the roster shakeups last summer.
Why this Suns injury report today matters more than usual
The Western Conference is a meat grinder. The Suns are currently fighting for seeding, and every "day-to-day" tag feels like a week of stress.
What’s interesting is how the team has shifted since the blockbuster trades. Remember, Kevin Durant is no longer in Phoenix; he’s leading the Rockets now. Bradley Beal is over with the Clippers (and unfortunately dealing with a season-ending hip fracture there).
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This is Devin Booker's team, through and through.
When Book is hobbled, the entire offensive identity changes. Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen have to take more shots than you’d probably like. If Booker has to miss the Detroit game, expect a heavy dose of Brooks-led offense, which—let's be real—is always a rollercoaster.
Actionable insights for the next 48 hours
If you're tracking the Suns injury report today for betting or just to know if your favorite player is suiting up, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the morning shootaround reports: That’s where we’ll see if Booker’s ankle is too stiff to move. If he’s not at shootaround, he’s likely out.
- Monitor Jalen Green’s practice status: If the Suns move him from "Out" to "Questionable" tomorrow, he’s almost certainly playing the next day.
- Check the Detroit lineup: The Pistons have their own issues (Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren are both day-to-day), so this might turn into a "battle of the benches" type of night.
The Suns have the talent to weather these small storms, but they need their "warrior" at full strength if they want to survive this East Coast swing.
Check the official NBA injury portal two hours before tip-off for the final confirmed status of the starting five.