Suns star Devin Booker is out against the Pistons with a right calf strain, the latest in a series of injuries
Devin Booker missed another game for the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon due to injury.
Booker was unable to play in the Suns’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday because of a strained right calf, coach Frank Vogel announced before the game at Little Caesars Arena. Booker underwent an MRI to determine the severity of the strain, but Vogel did not provide a timetable for his return.
Booker has now missed five of the Suns’ first seven games of the season due to injuries, initially to his left foot and ankle. He returned for Thursday night’s 132-121 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and had 31 points with 13 assists.
But on Saturday, Booker had soreness in his ankle and calf, so the Suns kept him out of the 112-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Then Booker underwent an MRI.
“He had an MRI done and found a calf strain, so there is an injury,” Vogel said before Sunday’s game. via Duane Rankin of the AZ Republic. “He’s trying to get back on his feet as quickly as possible, but he’s first strained a toe, then an ankle and now a calf strain.”
Booker, 27, averaged 27.8 points and 5.5 assists per game with the Suns last season, his eighth in the league. He dropped 32 points and added eight assists in the season-opening win over the Golden State Warriors last month, which was his only other appearance this season.
On Sunday, the Suns were again without Bradley Beal due to back spasms. Beal, who landed in Phoenix as part of a deal that brought Kevin Durant to the Suns this summer, has not yet made his debut. It is still unclear when he will do so, but he took part in a pre-game training session on Sunday.
“He looked good and felt good,” Vogel said of Beal. via AZ Republic. “So he comes closer. No set schedule yet, but we’re definitely getting closer.”
The Suns entered Sunday having lost three straight games and four of their first six games. On Wednesday, they will complete their three-game road trip against the Chicago Bulls, where both Booker and Beal were able to see the court. The Suns return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
