Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker re-aggravates groin, won't return to game at Denver
DENVER – Devin Booker left the Christmas game at Denver on Sunday with a left groin injury and won’t return, Suns officials said.
Booker missed the previous three games with groin soreness. He appeared to re-aggravate his groin on his second field goal attempt, a jumper, with 10:01 left in the first quarter.
The Suns All-Star wasn’t moving the same after that as he was walking up the court when Phoenix had the ball. Booker made his first shot on a driving layup as he got past Michael Porter Jr. with 10:38 left in the first.
Starting the game, Booker played four minutes and two seconds before Landry Shamet replaced him.
The Suns trailed by as many as 15 points in the first quarter, but pulled within four, 28-24, after one. That was part of a 21-2 run to put Phoenix up, 32-28, with 9:41 left in the first half.
Phoenix led at the half, 57-51, as Shamet scored all 13 points of his first-half points in the second quarter. Shamet scored 15 points in starting for Booker in Phoenix's last game it lost by 25 points to Memphis to end a four-game homestand.
Booker participated in the Sunday morning shootaround as the Suns didn't practice Saturday.
"It means a lot," Booker said after the morning shootaround about playing on Christmas. "It's a big game. We say every game's the same but I've talked about it in the past, Christmas game is something that I always wanted for this organization. To make it happen last year and now be playing in my second one, it's an exciting time."
Booker talked about working his way back to play on Christmas Day for the second time in his career. His first career Christmas game was last season against Golden State in Phoenix.
"Just treatment, around the clock," Booker said. "Just getting right. Lifting, making sure it's strong, making sure it's able to go. I checked all the boxes."
Booker hasn't played since scoring a season-high 58 points in last week's comeback win over New Orleans. While he wanted to play on the holiday, Booker noted it wasn't an guarantee he'd play in the game.
"Honestly, if I wasn't healthy and ready to go, it'd be tough to play," Booker said. "I was fortunate and blessed enough to make it happen right on time. It's definitely something that you don't want to miss."
Booker got in his pregame work and concluded it with his usual pregame bounce lob dunk. Booker missed two games earlier this season with left hamstring tightness. The Suns are 1-4 without Booker.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Devin Booker re-aggravates groin, won't return for Christmas game
