Three-time All-Star Devin Booker is in well being and security protocols, the Suns knowledgeable the media throughout Wednesday’s shootaround earlier than dealing with Portland (25-36) at Footprint Heart.
Booker wasn’t at shootaround.
“We knew this season was going to be loopy simply explanation for COVID alone,” Suns backup massive JaVale McGee mentioned. “Accidents occur. So it is simply one thing that you must undergo. Fortunately, we’re one of the best staff on the earth proper now. At the least we’ve some area for error, just a bit bit.”
The Suns (49-12) have a 6-1/2 sport lead on the Warriors (43-19) for one of the best report within the West and are up seven on the Grizzlies (43-20), however will at the least be with out Booker for Wednesday’s sport.
The staff’s main scorer at 25.6 factors a sport has been taking part in level guard instead of fellow All-Star Chris Paul, who will probably miss the remainder of the common season with a fractured proper thumb.
This would be the first sport this season the Suns will not have Paul and Booker.
“With Chris out, that is 10, 11 assists on the market that must be accrued,” McGee mentioned. “With Guide out, that is a variety of factors that have to be accrued. So lots of people are going to have a variety of alternative with each of them out, however we additionally need to play good.”
At the second, Booker is the one Suns participant in protocols, staff officers mentioned. Booker practiced Tuesday. He examined optimistic for COVID-19 earlier than the season.
This season, gamers have needed to have consecutive unfavourable checks with a purpose to return to motion. The Suns are in the midst of a four-game homestand as they finish it Friday in opposition to New York (25-36) earlier than beginning a three-game highway journey Sunday in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks (37-25) in a rematch of final yr’s finals.
“You understand that it could be a little bit bit uncomfortable, however it’s making us higher and forcing us to take care of one thing now that’ll hopefully make us higher in the long term,” Suns guard Landry Shamet mentioned.
The Suns are set to have Cameron Payne again after the backup level guard missed 16 video games with a proper wrist sprain. He is listed as possible.
Williams has been beginning Cam Johnson instead of Paul and having Booker play the one. Now with Booker at the moment out for Wednesday night time’s sport, Williams might persist with Johnson beginning and having Payne begin at level guard.
Payne began in Recreation 1 and a couple of of final yr’s Western Convention finals, scoring 29 factors in Recreation 2 in serving to thee Suns take a 2-0 collection lead over the Clippers.
Another choice is beginning Payne and Shamet within the backcourt and having Johnson come off the bench.
Have opinion about present state of the Suns? Attain Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Observe him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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