Devin Booker set to miss at least 4 weeks with groin injury

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In the midst of an MVP-caliber season, Devin Booker has hit a slight road block.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Phoenix Suns confirmed through a team announcement that Booker has suffered a left groin strain. The 26-year-old shooting guard and former Kentucky Wildcat is expected to miss at least four weeks before being reevaluated. Booker experienced his groin injury during Phoenix’s Christmas Day loss to the Denver Nuggets, playing just four minutes before leaving the court.

INJURY UPDATE: Further evaluation has confirmed that Devin Booker has sustained a left groin strain. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 28, 2022

Booker has been dealing with nagging injuries over the last few weeks. He missed a pair of games on Dec. 11 and 13 due to his hamstring and then missed three more games stretching from Dec. 19 through Dec. 23, which is when he initially hurt his groin. Booker attempted to give it a go on Christmas after just eight days off, but quickly reaggravated his groin and then sat out Phoenix’s win on Tuesday night over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Booker has done the bulk of the scoring for Phoenix this season, which has seen starters Chris Paul and Cameron Johnson play 21 and eight games, respectively, so far this season. The Suns are just 2-4 in games he’s missed this season (2-5 if you count his four minutes of action on Christmas Day).

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The 2022-23 campaign has seen Booker ascend to superstardom through the first third of the season. Prior to Wednesday’s news, the three-time NBA All-Star was averaging 27.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 34.6 minutes per game on a shooting split of 47.7/37.0/85.0. He’s already poured in totals of 58 points and 51 points this season in just 29 games played and was well on his way to another All-Star bid (which could still happen).

Unfortunately, Booker’s hot start is being forcibly cooled down. The Suns’ four-week timetable would have him returning around Jan. 24 (vs. Charlotte) or Jan. 26 (vs. Dallas), which would result in him missing at least a dozen games.

Get well soon, Book.