TITLE: Booker Goes Full Contact in Practice as Suns Monitor Injuries, Shooting Woes
SLUG: booker-practices-suns-injury-updates-green-williams
CONTENT:
PHOENIX — Devin Booker moved one step closer to returning to the lineup after completing full 5-on-5 work during Sunday’s practice, head coach Jordan Ott said. The 29-year-old guard has missed the Phoenix Suns’ last four games with a right hip strain.
“He knows his body better than anyone,” Ott told reporters. “He’s been through these processes. Incredible recovery, so he understands how he’s supposed to feel when he plays.”
Goodwin progressing, still a week from evaluation
Backup guard Jordan Goodwin, sidelined by a left calf strain, has begun on-court activities but remains behind Booker in his recovery timeline. Ott expects Goodwin to be re-evaluated within the next week. “He’s just now ramping up,” the coach said. “Book is further along than Goodie, but he’s starting to progress onto the court.”
Green stuck in shooting funk
Jalen Green’s return from repeated right hamstring strains has been rocky. Over his past four games, the third-year guard is averaging 12.8 points while shooting 28.0 percent (21-for-75) from the field. Ott attributed part of the slump to conditioning: “He knows he’s a little out of rhythm, but it’s good just to get him out there.”
Williams’ numbers dip ahead of free agency
Starting center Mark Williams, a restricted free-agent-to-be, has also struggled. In his last six outings, he is posting 6.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and hitting 39.5 percent of his shots in 18.8 minutes per game, well below his season averages of 11.6 points, 8.1 boards and 63.5 percent shooting. Ott believes Booker’s return will benefit both Green and Williams. “Book helps make all of our lives better,” he said.
Booker, Brooks form offseason bond
The Athletic’s Jason Quick detailed how Booker and forward Dillon Brooks became friends during the offseason after Brooks arrived from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade. “It doesn’t catch me off-guard anymore,” Booker said, noting Brooks’ contrasting on-court intensity and off-court humility. “Those are the types of guys you want to go to war with.”
The Suns resume play later this week, hopeful that Booker’s hip responds well enough for him to rejoin a roster trying to regain momentum.
Source: Hoops Rumors
