In mid-September, the Phoenix Suns announced that star guard Devin Booker underwent hand surgery that would require a recovery timetable of approximately six weeks. However, it appears as if Booker is a quick healer, with word breaking on Monday that he will be ready to start the team’s season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
“Devin’s going to play on Wednesday,” Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov said, via Kevin Zimmerman of 98.7 FM in Phoenix. “There’s no secret. He’s ready, he’s playing, he’s excited. He’s our big rock.”
In addition, Booker seemingly referenced his pending return with a tweet on Monday afternoon.
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— Book (@DevinBook) October 15, 2018
Booker’s surgery was announced exactly five weeks ago and, while that isn’t unprecedented by any means, it will be interesting to see how the Suns deploy their best player in the season opener. Phoenix made a considerable off-season investment in the roster with an eye toward “winning now” but, with two days off before the team’s second game on Saturday against the Nuggets, it is at least a mild surprise that Booker will appear.
The 21-year-old guard enjoyed a full-fledged breakout last season, averaging 24.9 points per game while producing his best offensive efficiency to date. Booker does have considerable challenges ahead defensively but, at the very least, the Suns will be heavily reliant on him for offensive creation throughout the season, particularly without the presence of an established, starter-level point guard to complement him in the backcourt.
If nothing else, Phoenix’s season opener is now (far) more interesting from a national perspective and that can be credited to the presence of Booker.
