Injuries Plague Suns as Devin Booker Steers Unlikely Lineup Against Dillon Brooks’ Rockets
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are feeling the sting of the injury bug once more, compelling them to field a makeshift starting lineup as they prepare to take on the Houston Rockets. With key players sidelined, the Suns will rely on the following five:
Devin Booker
Jordan Goodwin
Royce O’Neale
Dillon Brooks
Nick Richards
Absent from action are Jalen Green, Grayson Allen, and Mark Williams for the Suns, while the Rockets are missing several contributors, including Kevin Durant, who is out for personal reasons, along with Tari Eason (right oblique strain), Dorian Finney-Smith (undergoing recovery from left ankle surgery), Kevon Harris (G League two-way), Jae’Sean Tate (personal matters), and Fred VanVleet (recovering from right knee ACL repair).
The opening tip is set for approximately 7:30 PM MST at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
Suns Riding a Hot Streak
Despite the injuries, the Suns have been on a roll lately, winning eight of their last nine contests leading into Monday’s matchup. This game marks the second leg of a back-to-back for Phoenix, following a previous encounter against the San Antonio Spurs.
Devin Booker has emerged as the cornerstone of this run. After struggling through a challenging two-game stretch, he rebounded with a solid performance, tallying 24 points and dishing out seven assists against the Spurs. For the season, Booker boasts an impressive average of nearly 27 points per game, although his three-point shooting has dipped to 25% this month.
Jordan Goodwin Shines in Opportunity
Jordan Goodwin, stepping into the starting role for the first time this season, received high praise for his performance against San Antonio, where he recorded an impressive 15 points and 10 rebounds. “I honestly don’t know what it is. He has a knack for the basketball. He’s always in the right place at the right time,” Booker commented on Goodwin’s abilities. “He defends at a high level; he makes the hustle plays that we need. He’s been hitting on all cylinders for us.”
Royce O’Neale’s Shooting Streak
Royce O’Neale has been a valuable asset as well, shooting 45.7% from beyond the arc in November. He has been particularly effective in the past two games, hitting eight of his last 16 attempts from three-point range.
Dillon Brooks Faces Former Team
The matchup also features Dillon Brooks, who finds himself facing his former team in Houston. After spending the last two seasons with the Rockets, Brooks was traded to Phoenix this past summer. “For sure (there’s extra motivation),” Brooks mentioned after the previous game, highlighting the added drive for this contest. “Get my rest. Eat my Wheaties. Can’t wait to see (Rockets coach Ime Udoka) tomorrow.”
Entering tonight’s game, the Suns hold a record of 11-6, and they will be looking to extend their winning streak despite the challenges posed by injuries.
