Suns’ James Jones expects Devin Booker to return Friday

Phoenix Suns interim general manager James Jones believes star shooting guard Devin Booker’s return to game action is imminent.

Jones told Burns & Gambo Wednesday he expects Booker will return from his hamstring injury Friday when the Suns host the Toronto Raptors.

Booker has missed the Suns’ past three games after suffering the injury last week against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Book is day-to-day but he’s shooting, he’s moving,” Jones said. “He’s at that point where we get him a good practice and a good shootaround and he’ll be right back in the swing of things.

“We’re shooting and hoping that Friday will be that day. But like I said, he feels good but with these hamstring injuries, you never know.”

Booker, who turned 22 on Tuesday, is averaging 27.8 points per game and 6.8 assists per game in four games this season.

The Suns have struggled without Booker in the lineup, dropping back-to-back road games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder over the weekend.

“We just want to make sure that (Booker) is good because when he’s in the lineup with us and is productive, we’re a totally different team,” Jones said. “So we need him and want to make sure we have him for extended periods versus rushing him back.”

Phoenix will also be without starting point guard Isaiah Canaan (ankle) against the Spurs.

The Spurs have started 4-2 this season and most recently have defeated the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.

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