Phoenix Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker underwent surgery to repair an injury to the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint in his right hand Monday and will miss approximately six weeks, the team announced in a press release.
Booker had the procedure in Los Angeles. The sharpshooter has been playing basketball all summer despite the ailment. The Suns are hoping Booker will be ready for the first game of the 2018-19 season.
Suns guard Devin Booker underwent surgery to repair an injury to the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint in his right hand and will miss approximately six weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 10, 2018
Booker, 21, averaged 24.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists last season, shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three. The Suns, however, only won 21 games and had the worst record in the NBA. Phoenix’s putrid season netted them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft and the organization selected Arizona big man Deandre Ayton.
Booker signed a five-year, $158 million maximum contract extension this summer. The Suns’ best player said in August he’s ready to be the face of the franchise and that it’s time for the team to win some games.
“It’s winning time,” Booker said on the “Reiter’s Block” on CBS Sports HQ. “With that contract, and even before the contract, I felt that pressure to succeed for the city and the franchise. They took a chance on me to be that [max] guy, I know it comes with a lot of leadership and responsibility, but I think I’m built for it. I’m looking forward to next year a lot, with the additions to the team, we’re in much better shape to have a much better season.”
Along with adding Ayton, the Suns also drafted Villanova guard Mikal Bridges and signed veteran small forward Trevor Ariza in free agency. The additions have Booker optimistic about the Suns’ future.
“We’re in the best shape we’ve been in since I’ve been a part of the franchise,” Booker said. “With the trades we’ve made, and with DeAndre. He had an unbelievable summer league, playing the right way, not forcing it, was still dominating on both sides of the floor. He’ll be the downforce threat we need to open up space for everybody else.”
The Suns are unlikely to compete for a playoff spot in the rugged Western Conference. They still have a fairly young roster and are being led by a rookie coach, Igor Kokoškov. The Booker injury is a tough pill to swallow for Suns fans, but the good news is the injury wasn’t a serious one.
