Devin Booker out Saturday vs. Warriors, time table for return still unknown

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been ruled out for Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, coach Mike Budenholzer said prior to Friday’s tip versus the Dallas Mavericks.

Budenholzer added that Booker is making progress, but his return date is up in the air.

The star shooter did not miss the Suns’ first 26 games, but the latest downgrading means Booker will be inactive for a minimum of five games.

The 28-year-old is still dealing with a left groin tightness he first aggravated in a 120-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 19. He had put up 17 points (5-of-10 shooting) before exiting in the third quarter with the injury.

How have Devin Booker-less Suns fared so far?

Phoenix (15-14) lost the first two games without Booker before coming alive for a Christmas Day win over the Denver Nuggets. The remaining duo of the Suns’ Big 3, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, have steered clear of the injury bug in Booker’s indefinite absence.

Still, the trio have only played at full strength in 11 games this season. The Suns are 9-2 in such games.

Booker has averaged 25.1 points (13th in the NBA), 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists (17th) while shooting the 3-ball at a 34.5% clip.

In the Suns’ first meeting with the Warriors this season on Nov. 30, Booker led all scorers with 27 points and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. He also dished out nine assists in the 113-105 win at Footprint Center.

Suns-Mavericks tips off from Footprint Center at 7 p.m. MST on 98.7, arizonasports.com and the Arizona Sports app.

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