Booker exits game vs. Jazz with left ankle sprain
Phoenix’s offense took a major hit early in Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz, as Suns star guard Devin Booker exited the game after injuring his left ankle in the first quarter.
Update on injury: Devin Booker will not return due to a sprain in his left ankle.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 4, 2019
Booker landed awkwardly while receiving a high entry pass as he posted up Royce O’Neale. He immediately hit the deck, grimacing as he rolled side-to-side. Though O’Neale was whistled for a foul, Phoenix called timeout, and the entire Suns bench came from one end of the court to the other to be by his side.
Booker was eventually assisted off the court on the shoulders of fellow Suns, appearing to put little weight on the injured leg. Once Ray Spalding entered to shoot the free throws, Booker’s night was officially done.
ESPN’s Jordan Schultz reports that Booker will be shut down for Phoenix’s final three games.
Igor Kokoskov, coach of the Suns, stated that the extent of Booker’s injury would be unveiled by an MRI result on Thursday. The injury to Booker has left the Suns missing five of their leading players. Center Deandre Ayton, guard Tyler Johnson and forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. and T.J. Warren are also injured and were unable to participate in the game.
“Replacing a franchise is challenging,” said Kokoskov. “Replacing ‘Book’ is particularly difficult because he is an outstanding player, crucial to our team.”
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, initial X-rays were negative.
X-Rays returned negative on Suns guard Devin Booker’s left ankle sprain, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. https://t.co/oMuYtgkTY0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 4, 2019
Over the last 11 games, Booker has been averaging 36.2 points, scoring 25 or more points in each game. He also recently scored 50 points in two consecutive games.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
