Devin Booker, who has been out the last five weeks because of a left groin strain, is closing in on a return. And it could come as early as Tuesday against the Nets, according to ESPN.
The Suns star has been upping his workload and is expected to join the team for the start of a five-game road trip that tips off Friday in Boston, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Phoenix also will play at Detroit on Saturday before facing the Nets in Brooklyn on Tuesday night.
Booker’s imminent return comes at a much-needed time for the Suns, who are 27-25 and seventh in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday night.
Phoenix is just 8-10 without Booker, who is averaging 27.1 points but has missed the last 23 games the groin strain as well as hamstring soreness. He last played on Christmas Day against the Nuggets, exiting after just over 4 minutes and following a 58-point performance in his last game before that against the Pelicans.
Devin Booker is averaging 27.1 points for the Suns this season.Getty Images
Devin Booker has missed 23 games for the Suns so far this season.Getty ImagesThe Nets (31-20), meanwhile, were without Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and T.J. Warren for their showdown against the Celtics, with all three injured players not making the trip to Boston. They were blown out by Boston, 139-96.
Nevertheless, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said on Wednesday that he was “hopeful” Simmons and Warren would return Saturday against the Wizards.
