The Suns have suffered another setback in the injury department, with Devin Booker going down with an ankle issue in the team's loss to the Rockets on March 2.
Phoenix has had trouble keeping its new big three of Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal on the court at the same time. With three-quarters of the season in the books, the trio has only appeared in 23 games together.
Beal has dealt with a variety of injuries throughout the season and now, Booker will head to the sidelines during a pivotal point in the schedule. The Suns are fighting to crack the top six in the Western Conference, hoping to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
How long will the Suns be without their All-Star guard? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates on Booker's injury below.
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What is Devin Booker's injury?
Booker suffered a right ankle sprain against the Rockets on March 2.
While defending Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, Booker's foot appeared to get tangled with the foot of teammate Royce O'Neale. Both Booker and O'Neale went down in pain, but Booker caught the worst of it.
INJURY: Devin Booker injured his ankle after colliding with Royce O’neale.
— ML Basketball (@_MLBasketball) March 3, 2024
😬pic.twitter.com/uEZLkCHK53
The All-Star guard hobbled to the locker room immediately after the play and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. O'Neale was able to stay on the floor and finish the game.
How long will Devin Booker be out?
Booker will be out for seven-to-10 days with a right ankle sprain, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on Monday, March 4.
This is a tough blow to an already thin Suns roster as they pursue a top-six seed in the West. Booker has been one of the best guards in the NBA, averaging 27.5 points and a team-leading 6.8 assists per game.
Phoenix is 31-19 with Booker in the lineup this season, but it owns an ugly 4-7 record without the All-Star.
Luckily for the Suns, Beal returned to action on March 2 and he should be expected to take over primary ball-handling duties until Booker returns.
Booker's injury comes at an inopportune time for Phoenix, which has games against top teams like the Nuggets, Celtics (twice) and Cavaliers during his timetable for recovery.
Suns upcoming schedule
Here is Phoenix's upcoming schedule during the period Booker is expected to be sidelined:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| March 5 | at Nuggets | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| March 7 | vs. Raptors | 9 p.m. | — |
| March 9 | vs. Celtics | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| March 11 | at Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| March 14 | at Celtics | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
