Devin Booker questionable for Phoenix Suns showdown vs. defending champion Denver Nuggets
Devin Booker took that final 3 looking to tie the game late with a right ankle injury that limited him the second half of Wednesday’s loss at Toronto to end a three-game road trip.
He knew the shot was off, but said his right ankle was good.
“I mean, fine,” Booker said.
That’s debatable.
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Booker not only had a poor shooting night in going 2-of-12 for eight points, but he wasn’t the same after rolling his right ankle early in the second half after landing on Raptors guard Dennis Schroder’s foot on a drive-and-kick.
“Stepped on his foot,” Booker said after the 112-105 loss at Scotiabank Arena as Booker missed the 3 with 50.1 seconds remaining. “Part of the game.”
Lacking aggression after the injury, Booker is listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets at Footprint Center.
"Part of the game."
Devin Booker on right ankle injury early in 3rd. Landed on Dennis Schroder's foot. Returned in 3rd.
"I thought I could be out there and force that gravity and get open shots for other people."
Fri. vs. Nuggets?
"It's a long flight. See how it feels." #Suns pic.twitter.com/DbNeFleqsd— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 30, 2023
“He was just trying to tough it out, see if he would loosen up,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said.
The Suns (11-7) were looking to see how he responded overnight to the injury as the Suns flew from Toronto to Phoenix after the game.
Booker has missed eight games this season with a left ankle sprain and right calf strain.
Rundown of Toronto's game: Toronto Raptors snap Phoenix Suns' seven-game win streak
“Long flight,” Booker said. “See how it feels. You just have to gauge how it feels the next morning.”
This will be Denver’s only visit to Phoenix in the regular season. The Nuggets eliminated the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals, winning the elimination Game 6 by 25 points, 125-100.
Jamal Murray (right ankle sprain) and Aaron Gordon (right heel strain) are listed as questionable for the Nuggets (13-6).
"He was just trying to tough it out."
Frank Vogel on Devin Booker, who injured right ankle in 3rd quarter.
When asked about Bookee status Friday facing defending NBA champion Nuggets, Vogel said he's concerned, but will see how he responds. #Suns https://t.co/DqFhC7NyoE pic.twitter.com/lP7b5vRLK1— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 30, 2023
“Looking forward to this next one at home,” Suns superstar Kevin Durant said. “Been on the road for a couple of games. Felt like two weeks we’ve been on the road. It’ll be good to get back home. Looking forward to welcoming the reigning champs and see where we are as a team.”
Wednesday’s loss ended Phoenix’s season-long seven-game winning streak. The Suns had two days in between games as they won Sunday in New York.
The Raptors (9-10) were coming off a back-to-back as they lost Tuesday at Brooklyn, but they topped the Suns (11-7) 24 hours later.
“We didn’t have our point guard,” said Suns 7-footer Jusuf Nurkic about Booker. “That kind of threw us off, but we still had a chance to win the game. Sometimes you’re not making shots, sometimes you smoke layups, whatever it is, I think we have to really understand we have to start a better game.”
Phoenix trailed Toronto by double digits early in the second quarter.
"They played last night. We should be starting the game better."
Jusuf Nurkic as Suns trailed by 12 points early in 2nd quarter Wednesday to Raptors, who were on second of back-to-back after losing at Brooklyn.
Phoenix hadn't played since Sunday at New York. #Suns pic.twitter.com/X8XA1p5lD0— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 30, 2023
"They played last night,” Nurkic continued. “We should be starting the game better."
Booker rolled his right ankle with 10:11 left in the third quarter and limped off the court.
Grimacing in pain, Booker was immediately tended to, but he checked back into the game with 3:59 left in the quarter.
“We probably would've told him to sit down and get his ankle right, but he just love the team so much, he love helping us win,” Durant said. “Hopefully, the next couple of days, get some treatment and his ankle gets better."
"We probably would've told him to sit down and get his ankle right, but he just love the team so much, he love helping us win. Hopefully, the next couple of days, get some treatment and his ankle gets better."
Kevin Durant on Devin Booker injuring right ankle in Suns loss. #Suns pic.twitter.com/eFoUXTvNFx— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 30, 2023
Booker played 15 minutes in the second half and took just four shots, going 1-of-4 for two points.
“I don’t know if it got stiffer, but I wasn’t going to spend the rest of the night trying to beat people off the dribble,” Booker said. “Still taking what the defense was giving us. They were still trapping. I thought I could be out there and force that gravity and get open shots for other people.”
Grayson Allen and Nassir Little aren't on the injury report for Friday's game.
Allen was out Phoenix’s last two games due to illness while Little left the road trip to see the birth of his first child, a baby girl, in Phoenix.
Bradley Beal (back) and Damion Lee (knee) are both listed out.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Devin Booker (ankle) questionable for Suns showdown vs. Nuggets
