Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker Out For Thursday's Game Against Atlanta Hawks

Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker made his long-awaited return in Tuesday night's 116-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets, but the Suns won't push their luck with his health. The team has already declared him out for Thursday's matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to left groin injury management.

Devin Booker is out for tomorrow's Suns game against the Hawks due to left groin injury management. Jae Crowder, Cam Payne and Landry Shamet remain out.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) February 8, 2023

Booker missed 21 straight games with a lingering groin injury before Tuesday's contest and has appeared in only 30 of a possible 56 games so far this season. He has been his typically electric self when available, averaging 26.8 points per game with a solid .583 true shooting percentage. He totalled 19 points on six of 15 shooting in 26 minutes against the Nets.

Despite Booker's extended absence, the Suns are 30-26 and fifth in the Western Conference. Fellow superstar Chris Paul has been similarly afflicted with bad health, missing 21 games so far this season. If the two can get healthy over the closing stretch, the Suns still have a chance to make themselves heard in the playoffs. The team still maintains much of the core that reached the NBA Finals in 2021.

Booker's next chance to play will be Friday against the Indiana Pacers. It's possible he will be held out of at least one game of any back-to-back remaining this season.