The Phoenix Suns face the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in the quarterfinal of the NBA Cup. This is the reward for going 3-1 in group play while lacking the wild point differential (+75) Oklahoma City stacked in the same group. So the prize is a date with a team that has started 23-1, one of only three teams in NBA history to do that. And yet, the Suns have made a habit this season of snapping streaks and ruining moods. It is not some wild fantasy to think they could do it again.
The real question is whether they have the firepower to pull it off. And whether or not Devin Booker suits up and plays.
Booker left the game after an 11-point first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers nine days ago. The issue was a pulled groin, an injury he has dealt with before in his career. One week ago, the word came down that he would be reevaluated in one week.
That one week is today.
The interesting part is his designation for tonight against the Thunder. Booker is listed as ‘questionable’.
If you have ever followed an injury report, you know the ladder. Out. Doubtful. Questionable. Probable. Then clean. Booker sits right in the middle of that scale, which usually means he will go through warmups, push it a little, and let Jordan Ott know how it feels from there.
This situation comes with real hesitation. Soft tissue has bitten Booker before. Three seasons ago, it was a hamstring in December. He pushed to return for Christmas Day in Denver. Then the groin went. That decision cost him 21 games and kept him out until February. That history is part of the calculation right now. It is what the Suns are navigating as they weigh tonight against the long road ahead.
Because if the Suns can pull off the upset and beat the Thunder, that is a statement. That is the kind of game Booker wants to rise for. That is the kind of game this team wants to rise for.
This group is locked in. They believe they can compete with anyone. They believe they can beat anyone. So now comes the real balancing act. How far can he push it? Does he need to push it? Is there any risk of reinjury? All of that lives inside this decision. There is no perfect answer here. There is only one real question. How does Devin Booker truly feel?
Can he go out there and perform? Are there any lingering effects? Because if he plays, the Thunder are going to test him. They like to press. They like to push. They like to play physical. They are going to send doubles at him all night. Can his body hold up through that? It is a real debate with no easy conclusion.
If he can play and he wants to play, you have to respect that. At some point, you trust your players. If they tell you they are ready, then they are ready. That bridge will get crossed when it gets crossed.
Booker wants to be out there with this group. He enjoys playing basketball with this team. Everyone is on the same timeline. Everyone is chasing the same goal. The next one is simple. Upset the Oklahoma City Thunder and move on in the NBA Cup.
We will know more about all of this about an hour before tip when the injury report hits. That is 4:30PM Arizona time. We will know more then.
