The Phoenix Suns’ seven-game winning streak came to an end when they lost 112-105 to the Toronto Raptors, and head coach Frank Vogel had some food for thought on the flight back to the desert.
The primary worry is Devin Booker’s health as he hurt his ankle in the first half of play, despite a number of statistics and key takeaways that scream out at you
After leaving the field inexplicably during the first quarter of play, Booker told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that he had to go to the bathroom.
But in the second quarter, Booker hurt his ankle, limping to the sidelines before scurrying to the locker room, where he was presumably strapped up. After entering the game again, Booker finished with 33 minutes of playtime and 8 points on 2–12 shooting from the field. In addition, he had five assists and five rebounds.
I don’t know if it got stiffer, but I wasn’t going to spend the rest of the night trying to beat people off the dribble. Still taking what the defense was giving us. They were still trapping so I thought I could be out there, force that gravity and get open shots for other people.”
The Suns are set to host a back-to-back this weekend as the Denver Nuggets visit Friday and Memphis Grizzlies arrive Saturday. Just days later, Phoenix will travel to take on the Los Angeles Lakers for the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
I wasn’t going to try to beat anybody off the dribble for the rest of the night, even though I don’t know if it became stiffer. We were still accepting the defense’s offer. I reasoned that since they were still trapping, I could go out there, defy gravity, and get open shots for other people.”
The Denver Nuggets will visit the Suns on Friday, and the Memphis Grizzlies will visit on Saturday. This weekend, the Suns will host a back-to-back. A few days from now, Phoenix will travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals
When questioned about his worries of missing time, Booker answered as follows:
“I’m not sure; the flight is quite long. You simply need to go and see how it feels in the morning, and we’ll see how I feel.”
Frank Vogel discussed the injuries as well. Here is where you may read more about it.