Injury setbacks for Suns as Devin Booker doubtful and Bradley Beal continues to be sidelined: A setback for the Phoenix Suns ahead of their match against the Utah Jazz.

Devin Booker and Bradley Beal sidelined for Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns will face the Utah Jazz in their home opener on Saturday without two key players, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Booker is doubtful due to left foot soreness, while Beal is out with low back tightness. This will be Beal’s third consecutive missed game, while Booker missed Thursday’s game against the Lakers.

The injury concerns

Booker’s foot injury is a new one, according to TNT’s Jared Greenberg. He had initially played in the season opener against the Golden State Warriors but was questionable for the game due to soreness in his left big toe. However, he developed left foot soreness during the Lakers game, prompting his absence for Thursday’s game and raising doubts about his availability for Saturday. Booker is undergoing an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

Beal, on the other hand, has been dealing with low back tightness since the preseason. He missed two preseason games and hasn’t played in over a week. His absence has continued into the regular season, with Beal being classified as questionable and then doubtful for recent games. He mentioned feeling a tweak in his back between the preseason game he played and the one he sat out.

The impact on the Suns

The absence of both Beal and Booker had a significant impact on the Suns’ offense in Thursday’s loss against the Lakers. The team struggled to find consistent sources of scoring outside of Kevin Durant, who faced double- and triple-teaming all night. Phoenix’s offensive rating in the half-court was a paltry 77.1, compared to last season’s 97.5. This emphasizes the need for other players, such as Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon, to step up and put pressure on the defense to create better scoring opportunities.

Jordan Goodwin showed promise in generating ball movement and could have an extended role in the absence of Beal and Booker. He played significant minutes in Thursday’s game, and his ability to spark Phoenix’s offense through rotations and ball movement makes him a strong candidate for increased playing time.

Advice for the Suns

With the Suns facing the Utah Jazz, who are known for their strong defense, it becomes even more crucial for Phoenix to find alternate sources of scoring and maintain good offensive flow. Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon, in particular, must step up their game to alleviate the pressure on Durant and create opportunities for their teammates.

Furthermore, the Suns need to focus on their half-court offense and improve their scoring efficiency. The absence of Beal and Booker makes it imperative for players to generate good shots and move the ball effectively. Jordan Goodwin’s ability to do so should earn him more playing time, and his contribution in ball movement could be crucial in breaking down the Jazz’s defense.

It remains to be seen how long Booker and Beal will be sidelined, but the Suns must find ways to adapt and thrive even without them. The key will be cohesive team play, efficient offense, and a collective effort to fill the void left by their absence.