TITLE: Booker and Green Remain Sidelined as Suns Navigate Challenging Stretch
SLUG: booker-and-green-remain-sidelined-as-suns-navigate-challenging-stretch
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The Phoenix Suns are battling through a rough portion of their schedule without two key backcourt players, but they managed to collect a 106-102 home victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
All-Star guard Devin Booker missed the game with a right ankle injury that has kept him off the floor since last week. Booker leads the club with 25.4 points and 6.2 assists per contest, and teammates say his absence changes the way opponents defend everyone else.
“When he’s in the game, I think it simplifies the way we get open looks,” guard Grayson Allen said, according to the Arizona Republic. “We still do a good job most of the time, but it’s harder—and it’s harder to sustain for a 48-minute game.”
Jalen Green’s situation has been even more complicated. The 23-year-old guard has appeared in only four games this season and logged just four minutes in his most recent outing before experiencing tightness in his right hamstring. He was unavailable against Brooklyn, marking what appears to be his third setback since first straining the hamstring during training camp.
“When he’s ready to play and he feels good, he’ll be back out there,” head coach Jordan Ott said. “He’s been out for a while. He’s going to have to learn his body. He wants to feel right.”
Phoenix will continue its homestand later this week as the club tries to maintain momentum without its two injured guards.
Source: Hoops Wire
