Suns Takeaways: Booker Battling Ankle Injury, Brooks Nears Suspension Following Loss to Heat
The Phoenix Suns (24-16) saw their three-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night, falling 127-121 to the Miami Heat. Beyond the result on the scoreboard, the franchise is now managing two significant roster concerns: a fresh injury to star guard Devin Booker and a looming suspension for forward Dillon Brooks.
Booker’s Ankle Scare
Devin Booker suffered a left ankle injury late in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game. While defending, he appeared to roll the ankle and was seen limping back to the locker room. In a display of resilience, Booker returned to the bench early in the fourth quarter and checked back into the game with 9:11 remaining, finishing the contest with 24 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
Despite his return, concerns remain regarding his availability for the upcoming schedule. Suns head coach Jordan Ott addressed the situation postgame, acknowledging that Booker was not at 100 percent upon his return.
“Obviously [it was an] ankle roll. Put him back in the fourth because we knew it was going to stiffen up,” Ott stated. “As soon as he was ready, we could put him in. You could tell after some of his shots when he landed he wasn’t feeling great.”
Ott emphasized that the team will need to monitor how the ankle responds to treatment over the next 24 to 48 hours. The injury comes at a precarious time, as fellow guard Jalen Green remains sidelined with a hamstring strain, leaving the Suns’ backcourt depth tested.
Brooks Teetering on Suspension
Compounding the personnel issues is the status of Dillon Brooks, who is reportedly close to a league suspension. Brooks, who has established himself as a critical defensive anchor and the team’s second-leading scorer in Green’s absence, is nearing the threshold for punitive action, likely due to the accumulation of technical fouls.
Brooks has been a polarizing but essential figure for Phoenix this season, averaging career highs in scoring. However, his physical style of play and interactions with officials have put his availability at risk. A suspension would force him to miss game time during a stretch where his offensive production—often exceeding 20 points per game—is vital to covering for the team’s injuries.
Challenges Ahead
The loss to Miami highlighted defensive struggles that Coach Ott will need to address quickly. The Suns allowed 127 points, unable to contain the Heat’s offensive rhythm down the stretch.
While Booker’s ability to finish the game offers a counterpoint to fears of a long-term absence, the medical staff’s evaluation will determine his status for Thursday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, currently the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, present a formidable challenge for a Suns team potentially missing two of its top three offensive options.
“It’s one of those things that we’ll see how it responds to the night, to some type of treatment and see where he is in two days,” Ott said.
