Devin Booker has Battled This SAME Thing Before
The Phoenix Suns entered the season surrounded by uncertainty after Kevin Durant’s shocking move to Houston, and somehow, Devin Booker became the anchor holding everything together. A 13–9 start isn’t spectacular, but it’s stabilizing, especially for a team rewriting its identity in real time.
That stability took a hit Monday night.
With just 2:05 left in the first quarter, Devin Booker committed an offensive foul against the Lakers, checked out, and never returned. Moments later, the Suns ruled him out for the rest of the night with a right groin injury, pulling the air out of the arena. Before exiting, he still managed 11 points and 3 assists, an immediate reminder of just how essential he is to Phoenix’s offensive flow.
Despite his absence, Phoenix posted an impressive 125–108 win, a morale boost, but also a reminder of what they’re now risking without their leading star. Because this isn’t just a minor setback. This is a trend.
Devin Booker suffered a groin injury in December 2024.
He had multiple groin issues in 2022.
And now, in the first half of the Suns’ new direction, it’s back.
For a franchise relying on him more than ever, that’s a dangerous pattern.
Devin Booker is STILL an All-NBA/All-Star Level Player After 11 Years
Even before this injury, Devin Booker was having a complicated yet undeniably productive season. Through 22 games, he’s been averaging:
- 25.0 PPG
- 6.7 APG
- 4.3 RPG
- 0.9 SPG
- 0.4 BPG
- 45.7% FG
- 31.5% 3PT
- 87.4% FT
He’s seen better shooting years from deep, but the overall efficiency remains strong. His playmaking, once a glaring weakness early in his career, has grown into a genuine strength.
Entering his 11th season, Devin Booker hasn’t averaged fewer than 25 points per game since the 2017–18 season. The consistency is staggering. The longevity is rare. The production, especially given Phoenix’s roster changes, is borderline heroic.
And then there’s the contract.
Booker recently signed a 2-year, $145 million extension, keeping him in Phoenix through 2029–2030. Combined with his existing deal, he’s set to make $316 million over the next five years, averaging $72.5 million per season, the highest yearly salary in NBA history.
That means he isn’t just the face of the Suns.
He is the Suns.
Their ceiling, their future, their identity, their playoff odds, everything rises and falls with his health.
Which is why this latest injury stings more than the box score can ever show.
How Bad Could A Groin Injury ACTUALLY Get?
Groin injuries are unpredictable. They can be minor annoyances… or season-shifting disasters. Booker’s history makes this even more complicated.
Here’s what each stage could look like:
🔹 Stage 1: Mild Strain (Best Case)
- Soreness, slight tightness
- No structural damage
- 3–7 days of rest
- Misses 1–3 games
- High chance of making a full recovery with minimal long-term effect
What it means:
Phoenix breathes a sigh of relief. Booker returns before the Suns slip in the West standings. No long-term panic, but the team should be careful not to rush him.
🔹 Stage 2: Medium/Decent Injury (Concerning but Manageable)
- Partial muscle strain
- Noticeable discomfort when accelerating or cutting
- 2–3 weeks out
- Requires therapy + monitored ramp-up
- Higher risk of re-aggravation if rushed
What it means:
This is where Phoenix feels pressure. The Suns’ offense already leans heavily on Booker’s shot creation. Without him for 6–10 games, their 13–9 record becomes vulnerable, especially with the West tightening. This level also raises concerns about long-term wear and tear.
🔹 Stage 3: Severe Strain or Tear (Worst Case)
- Significant muscle damage
- Potential tear
- 4–8 weeks out, possibly more
- Rehab-heavy recovery
- Major risk of recurring injuries throughout the season
What it means:
Total crisis. This would derail Phoenix’s momentum, dramatically shift their playoff push, and force the organization to reconsider its rotation and leadership structure. It also raises the bigger, scarier question: Is this the beginning of an injury pattern that will define Booker’s later prime?
Given Booker’s history with groin injuries in 2022 and 2024, this possibility cannot be ignored.
What Happens Now for The Suns?
Phoenix is in a transitional era, new roster, new expectations, and a superstar carrying more than ever before. Devin Booker is the one constant, the one sure thing, the one player the Suns simply cannot afford to lose.
This injury doesn’t just affect the next few games.
- It affects the season.
- It affects the franchise.
- It affects the future.
And until Phoenix reveals the severity, everyone—from fans to front office—will be holding their breath.
