Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns’ leading scorer, left Thursday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs early because of soreness in his right hip and did not return for the rest of the contest. Booker initially exited during the first quarter and was not seen on the bench before briefly reappearing in the second quarter, only to retreat to the locker room instead of rejoining the game.
Booker’s Game Performance and Injury History
In his limited nine minutes on the floor, Booker contributed five points and grabbed one rebound, shooting 2-of-6 from the field. His absence was notable given his recent struggles with injuries, having missed eight of the Suns’ previous ten games due to a right ankle sprain. Despite these setbacks, Booker entered the game averaging 25.2 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field this season.
Impact on Suns’ Lineup and Season Outlook
Booker’s shooting efficiency from beyond the arc has declined this year, with a career-low three-point percentage of 31.1 percent, yet he remains a vital offensive presence helping the Suns exceed expectations. Phoenix currently holds the No. 7 position in the Western Conference standings with a 32-23 record. Following Booker’s exit, Jordan Goodwin replaced him in the starting lineup for the second half and is expected to see continued playing time while Booker recovers.
Implications for Phoenix Suns and Next Steps
The Suns hope that Booker’s right hip soreness will not develop into a severe injury, as his contributions are crucial to the team’s success. Monitoring his condition moving forward will be essential, especially with Phoenix aiming to maintain their standing in the competitive Western Conference. The team’s ability to adapt during Booker’s absence, including giving more minutes to players like Goodwin, will be critical in the coming games.
Devin Booker is not currently on the Suns bench after checking out in the first quarter, per @DuaneRankin. pic.twitter.com/lpdFJjxTMu
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) February 20, 2026
