Phoenix Suns fans held their collective breath on Tuesday night when Devin Booker hobbled toward the locker room in Miami. It looked bad. The way he came down on that left ankle after a block attempt felt like one of those season-altering moments.
But then, he did the most Devin Booker thing possible. He came back out. He finished the game. He put up 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in 40 minutes of action despite clearly being compromised. Now, everyone is asking the same question: when will Devin Booker return to the starting lineup?
The Latest on Booker's Ankle Sprain
As of Thursday night, January 15, 2026, the Suns have officially ruled Booker out for the matchup against the Detroit Pistons. It’s a bummer, especially since Booker is a Michigan native and usually lights it up at Little Caesars Arena.
The team is calling it a left ankle sprain. Honestly, it’s probably the right move to sit him. Even though he played through the pain against the Heat, the ankle showed significant swelling on Wednesday. Head coach Jordan Ott basically confirmed that while Booker wanted to go, the medical staff stepped in.
The good news? He actually participated in a light shootaround Thursday morning. You don't do that if you're looking at a multi-week absence. He’s currently being viewed as day-to-day.
When Will Devin Booker Return? Predicting the Knicks Game
The next major target on the calendar is Saturday, January 17, against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This is the big one.
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Suns coach Jordan Ott expressed optimism that Booker could return for that Saturday night spotlight. Usually, with a Grade 1 ankle sprain—which is what this appears to be based on his ability to finish the Miami game—the swelling takes 48 to 72 hours to really subside.
If the Suns were in the playoffs, he’d be playing tonight. Since it’s mid-January and the Suns are sitting at 24-16 (seventh in the West), there’s no reason to risk a "hero" moment that leads to a chronic issue.
Current Return Forecast:
- January 15 vs. Pistons: OUT (Confirmed)
- January 17 vs. Knicks: Questionable / Likely Return
- January 19 vs. 76ers: Probable
Why the Suns Struggle Without Him
Phoenix is sort of a different team when Book isn't on the floor. It’s not just the 25.2 points per game he’s averaging this season. It's the gravity.
When Booker sits, the offense gets frantic. Without his 6.5 assists and his ability to slow the game down in the mid-range, the Suns' net rating drops by nearly 7 points per 100 possessions. We saw this earlier in the year when he missed time with a groin injury; the team went 1-2, including a blowout loss to OKC.
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With Jalen Green also currently out with a hamstring strain—though he's finally back to 5-on-5 drills—the scoring burden falls squarely on Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen. Brooks has been a revelation this year, but asking him to be the primary creator against a top-tier Detroit defense is a tall order.
Historical Recovery Timelines
Booker has always been a fast healer. He’s one of those guys who has a high pain tolerance, sometimes to a fault.
Looking back at his career, he typically beats the "expected" return dates for minor lower-body injuries. Most NBA players take about 10 days for a standard ankle sprain to feel 100% again. Booker often tries to cut that in half.
The medical staff is likely looking at the "return to play" metrics:
- Lateral movement: Can he slide on defense without "giving out"?
- Explosiveness: Can he lift off that left foot for his jumper?
- Swelling: Has the inflammation cleared enough to allow full range of motion?
Because he tested it at the shootaround today, we know the range of motion is mostly there. It’s just about the pain management and making sure he doesn't re-tweak it by overcompensating.
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What This Means for Your Fantasy Team
If you’ve got Booker on your roster, don't panic. This isn't a "drop everything and trade him" situation.
In the meantime, Grayson Allen is the clear beneficiary. He’ll see a massive uptick in usage. Also, keep an eye on Collin Gillespie. He hasn't been great in Booker's absence earlier this month, but he'll get the minutes.
If you're looking for a silver lining, Jalen Green's return is imminent. Once Booker and Green are back together, this Phoenix backcourt is going to be a nightmare for the rest of the Western Conference.
Practical Steps for Suns Fans
If you're tracking the when will Devin Booker return saga, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch the Friday practice report: If Booker is a "full participant" on Friday, he is almost certainly playing Saturday at MSG.
- Monitor Jalen Green's status: His return will take the pressure off Booker to play 40+ minutes immediately upon his return.
- Check the betting lines: When the line for the Suns-Knicks game drops, if Phoenix is a favorite or a "pick 'em," the Vegas sharps likely know Booker is a go.
The Suns are playing it safe for now, but expect to see the "Be Legendary" sneakers back on the hardwood by the end of the weekend.
Next Steps for Tracking the Suns:
Check the official NBA Injury Report specifically at 1:30 PM ET on Saturday. That is the deadline for teams to submit their initial status for evening games, and it will give you the most accurate update on Booker's availability for the Knicks matchup.