The Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker returns to the lineup on Tuesday night after he missed five games due to a left groin strain. However, his return wasn’t enough to secure a victory as the Suns fell 117-112 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Booker’s absence was felt during his time on the sidelines. The Suns went 1-4 in the five games without him, highlighting his critical role as both a scorer and a playmaker. This season, Booker has been averaging an impressive 25.1 points and 6.4 assists per game, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier guards.

In his first game back since December 19, when the Suns lost to the Indiana Pacers, Booker struggled to find his shooting rhythm. He scored 16 points but made just 4 of his 20 field goal attempts. Despite the shooting woes, Booker contributed significantly in other areas, dishing out nine assists in his 30 minutes on the floor. His ability to create opportunities for teammates helped keep the Suns competitive against a strong Memphis squad.

“It’s always tough coming back from an injury, especially one that limits your mobility,” Booker said postgame. “I’ll get my rhythm back. It’s just a matter of time.”

Adding to Phoenix’s challenges was the absence of starting center Jusuf Nurkić, who was serving the second game of a three-game suspension for his involvement in a scuffle during Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. Without Nurkić anchoring the middle, the Suns struggled to contain Memphis’ interior presence, with Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. exploiting the paint.

The Suns, now 19-15 on the season, will look to regroup and capitalize on Booker’s return as they continue their campaign in a highly competitive Western Conference. They’ll need him firing on all cylinders as they face a tough stretch of games in the coming weeks.

While this loss was disappointing, Booker’s presence on the court is a step in the right direction for Phoenix. As he works his way back to full strength, the Suns’ playoff aspirations remain intact.