Devin Booker Injury Scare: Suns Star Limps Off vs. Hawks—Will an Ankle Sprain Sideline Him?

PHOENIX — Devin Booker’s electrifying 31-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks ended in silence Friday night when the three-time All-Star rolled his right ankle on Onyeka Okongwu’s foot and was helped to the locker room with 2:07 remaining in the third quarter. Phoenix, already without newcomer Jalen Green (hamstring tightness), watched its back-court cornerstone limp off after hitting five of nine from beyond the arc. The Suns led 91-84 at the break but now face a nervous wait for imaging results that will determine Booker’s availability for the final leg of their six-game road trip and the looming All-Star stretch. Key takeaways for Suns fans • Severity timeline: Initial tests in Atlanta indicated no fracture, but an MRI scheduled Saturday will clarify the grade of the sprain and whether Booker will miss multiple weeks or merely days. • Rotation ripple: If Booker is sidelined, expect Bradley Beal to shoulder primary scoring duties while rookie point guard Ryan Dunn sees a spike in minutes. Sharpshooter Grayson Allen, averaging 44.2 percent from deep, becomes vital to floor spacing. • Standings impact: Phoenix (28-17) entered the night clinging to fifth in the Western Conference; a prolonged absence could tighten a playoff race separated by just three games from seed five to ten. What Booker’s injury means for the All-Star Game Booker ranked third among Western Conference guards in the latest fan returns. Missing even a week could jeopardize his spot on the roster and his quest for a fourth straight 50-40-90 shooting split. Last season he averaged 27.8 points, 6.1 assists and shot 41.6 percent from three—numbers that propelled a career-best playoff run. Medical history and outlook The 29-year-old dealt with a left ankle sprain earlier this month, sitting out one contest before returning at Madison Square Garden. Phoenix’s staff has managed his workload meticulously—Booker is playing a career-low 33.5 minutes per game—but back-to-back sprains on opposite ankles raise long-term durability questions as he approaches his prime earning season of a four-year, $214 million extension. Upcoming schedule to monitor 1. Jan 26 at Charlotte Hornets 2. Jan 28 at New Orleans Pelicans 3. Jan 30 vs Denver Nuggets 4. Feb 2 vs Golden State Warriors Early indications suggest Booker is unlikely to dress in Charlotte; a two-game absence would set up a potential return against Denver at Footprint Center. Bottom line The Suns’ championship aspirations hinge on Devin Booker’s shot-making and leadership. A clean MRI could mean Phoenix dodged a bullet; a moderate sprain may force the franchise to test its depth and trade-deadline resolve. Either way, Valley fans should brace for a critical stretch that will define the 2026 season and Booker’s growing legacy in the desert.