Devin Booker’s night ended early — and so did Phoenix’s chance to stay in striking distance — as the San Antonio Spurs crushed the Suns 121–94 in Austin on Thursday, a post–All-Star break game that quickly turned into a grind for an already short-handed roster.
Booker started the matchup but exited midway through the first quarter, returned briefly in the second, and was then ruled out before halftime with right hip soreness. Phoenix confirmed he would not return, leaving the Suns without their primary shot-creator for most of the night.
Booker exits with right hip soreness
The Suns called it right hip soreness, and Booker’s minutes reflected the stop-start nature of his night. Before the early shutdown, he finished with five points and one rebound, shooting 33.3% from the field. The bigger concern for Phoenix is availability: Booker has already battled multiple interruptions this season, and any lingering issue tightens the margin for error in a crowded Western Conference race.
Short-handed Phoenix gets hit again
Phoenix entered the game already juggling absences. Grayson Allen was ruled out with a sprained ankle, and Dillon Brooks served a one-game suspension after his 16th technical foul of the season wasn’t rescinded. Losing Booker on top of that forced the Suns into heavier reliance on secondary creation and tough-shot offense against a Spurs defense that turned pressure into points.
Spurs “keep Austin weird” with a 121–94 blowout
San Antonio took control and never let go, turning the game into a runaway by the second half. The Spurs’ athleticism showed up in transition, and their size helped choke off clean looks as the margin ballooned into a rout. By the fourth quarter, the result was effectively decided, with the Spurs comfortably protecting a lead that kept growing.
The 121–94 final underscored how thin Phoenix looked once Booker was removed from the equation. Without his late-clock shotmaking and playmaking gravity, the Suns struggled to generate consistent advantages, and the Spurs punished mistakes with quick scores at the other end.
Where Phoenix stands after the loss
Even with the injuries and suspension issues, the Suns have remained competitive overall. They entered the game seventh in the Western Conference with a 32–23 record, and their position reflects how much they’ve managed to survive without a stable, full-strength rotation for long stretches.
For Phoenix, the immediate focus shifts to Booker’s status. If the hip soreness proves minor, the night becomes an unpleasant footnote. If it lingers, the Suns’ ability to hold their spot — and avoid slipping into a deeper fight around the Play-In line — becomes far more complicated.
For full game details and the official recap, check the NBA game page for Suns vs. Spurs.
