The Suns are facing the Pistons tonight in Detroit without Devin Booker and Jalen Green active on the roster. While Green has been sidelined for a while, the team lost Booker following their last game, a 121-127 loss to the Heat, due to a left ankle sprain.
Before tonight, the Suns’ head coach Jordan Ott spoke to the media and addressed the injuries to both his key players and where they stand on availability for Saturday night’s matchup against the Knicks.
“If he could play, he would play. That guy came out during the game in Miami, but did everything he could to play until the end of the game. It’s one of those games that is so vital that you’ve got to get’em when you can until obviously the next game comes up,” said Ott on Booker.
“Obviously, he can’t go today. The swelling is there. Think he’s been through this before. He’s able to return as quickly as possible. If he could go, he could, especially being here in Michigan. We’re going to try to get it next game,” concluded Ott while seeming optimistic for Booker’s return on Saturday.
The 29-year-old guard is currently averaging 25.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field. Booker was born and brought up in Michigan; therefore, if there was any chance he could play tonight in Detroit, he would take it.
The reporters then asked Ott about Jalen Green and where he is in the timeline of returning to action. Jordan Ott revealed that he had been involved in the 5-on-5 action before the Pistons game and seemed optimistic about his improvement as well.
“Just the next step on this progression. Again, we’ll take it and see what happens tomorrow. Just how he bounces back from it. What’s normal soreness because he hasn’t played a ton in the last couple of months. Everything seemed to go well. Hopefully, we’ll take that next step,” said Ott on Green, who has played only two games for the Suns this season.
“We’ll continue to assess. As soon as he is good to go and we feel good, we’re not going to make an immediate reactionary response to where he’s at. He’s made such great progress, and we’ve stuck to the plan all along, so we’ll continue to do that,” Ott further added when asked about whether Green would be available against the Knicks.
The Suns are currently 24-16 and seventh in the Western Conference before tonight’s game. They have played most of the season without Green and may not miss him on the floor as much tonight, but Booker’s absence could end up being costly in the pivotal moments of the game.
Hopefully, the Suns will be at full strength on Saturday (January 17) night when they head to Madison Square Garden.
