Phoenix Suns G Devin Booker out of health and safety protocols

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is out of health and safety protocols and is expected to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Miami Heat.

Booker went into protocols on Wednesday, the morning before Phoenix defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 120-90. He missed that game, Friday’s outing against the New York Knicks, Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks and Tuesday against the Orlando Magic.

Despite his absence, Phoenix went 3-1 over that four-game span.

Booker, who missed time before the season due to COVID-19, confirmed he was fully vaccinated before the season. Fully vaccinated players are generally not sidelined due to contact tracing but undergo daily testing.

Now having made his third NBA All-Star appearance this year, Booker was averaging 25.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists before his latest stint away from the team.

Wednesday night via Instagram, Booker posted a story of the Blazers-Suns game on a television. On a table in front of the camera was a beverage to match his coronavirus-related absence.

Because the Suns also do not have point guard Chris Paul available, they started Cam Payne and Landry Shamet in the backcourt the past four games. The win over Portland marked Payne’s first game since Jan. 22 as he sat out more than a month with a wrist injury.

In the team’s win over the Magic on Tuesday, Shamet hit a career high six 3-pointers, finishing with 21 points on 6-of-12 shooting.

The Suns are back in action against the Heat on Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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