Devin Booker of the Suns is out against the Warriors, return date unknown

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will miss Saturday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, coach Mike Budenholzer said before Friday’s tipoff against the Dallas Mavericks.

Budenholzer added that Booker is making progress but his return date is uncertain.

The star shooting guard hasn’t missed the Suns’ first 26 games, but the recent demotion means Booker will be inactive for at least five games.

The 28-year-old is still dealing with left groin strain that he first suffered in a 120-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 19. He had collected 17 points (5 of 10 shooting) before exiting the third quarter with the injury.

How have the Suns fared so far without Devin Booker?

Phoenix (15-14) lost its first two games without Booker before picking up a Christmas Day win over the Denver Nuggets. The Suns’ remaining Big 3 duo, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, have stayed away from injury danger in Booker’s indefinite absence.

However, the trio has only played at full strength in eleven games this season. The Suns are 9-2 in such games.

Booker averaged 25.1 points (13th in the NBA), 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists (17th) while shooting 34.5% from 3-ball.

In the Suns’ first meeting with the Warriors this season on November 30, Booker led all scorers with 27 points and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. He also had nine assists in the 113-105 win at Footprint Center.

Suns-Mavericks tip-off from Footprint Center at 7:00 p.m. MST on 98.7, ArizonaSports.com and the Arizona Sports App.

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