Suns Adjust for Key Absences Against Rockets
The Phoenix Suns are set to face the Houston Rockets with a different lineup tonight, marking a significant moment as they play their first game of the season without star guard Devin Booker. The team revealed on Wednesday that Booker is sidelined due to a left groin strain, an injury he sustained during the first quarter of Monday’s 125-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He is expected to be re-evaluated in a week.
In addition to Booker’s absence, the Suns (13-9) will miss Jalen Green, who has been dealing with a right hamstring strain, and Isaiah Livers, who is out with a right hip strain. For the Rockets (14-5), the news has also taken a turn as star center Alperen Sengun will not play due to illness. Sengun previously scored 18 points in the first matchup between these two teams on November 24, which the Rockets convincingly won 114-92. This prior encounter was notable for being the only game this season in which the Suns failed to reach 100 points.
A New Starting Lineup
With Booker absent, the Suns will introduce their 13th different starting lineup of the season. The players stepping into the starting roles include:
Collin Gillespie
Grayson Allen
Dillon Brooks
Royce O’Neale
Mark Williams
Both Williams and Allen were unavailable during the first meeting due to injuries, while Gillespie came off the bench alongside Jordan Goodwin before Booker’s injury.
Keys to Upsetting the Rockets
Despite the setback of losing Sengun, the Suns enter the game as significant underdogs, with the Rockets favored by 9.5 points. Kevin Durant, who missed the initial matchup for personal reasons, will bring a fresh dynamic to the game, while the Rockets will have to adjust without Sengun, who leads the team with 7.1 assists per game.
Amen Thompson had a standout performance in the first game, contributing 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. The Suns must contain both Thompson and Durant, preventing Thompson from driving easily to the basket.
The Rockets are known for leading the league in rebounding and offensive boards, although they narrowly won the rebounding battle 41-39 in their previous encounter with the Suns. Phoenix plans to continue its strategy of deploying multiple defenders against Steven Adams, knowing that Sengun’s absence could impact the Rockets’ capacity to dominate down low.
The Suns excel at creating turnovers without fouling and converting those opportunities into points. With Sengun out, the Rockets may struggle offensively, as they lack a traditional point guard and rely heavily on Sengun for playmaking.
Offensive Strategy in Booker’s Absence
Booker’s absence will require a collective effort from the Suns to fill the offensive void. Expect Dillon Brooks to be particularly aggressive in seeking his shot during his first return to Houston since joining the Suns. The team’s success will hinge on their ability to disrupt the game’s flow, applying pressure to hasten the Rockets’ pace and force them into uncomfortable situations.
The matchup is set to tip off shortly after 6:00 p.m. MST, and the Suns will be looking to capitalize on these unique circumstances to pull off an upset against a tough opponent.
