The Phoenix Suns are getting a much-needed boost just ahead of the NBA All-Star break, as star guards Devin Booker and Jalen Green return to the lineup for Saturday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers at Mortgage Matchup Center. Head coach Jordan Ott confirmed both players’ availability in a pregame press conference on February 7, 2026, marking the first time since January 23 that the Suns will have their dynamic backcourt duo on the floor together.
Booker, a five-time NBA All-Star, has been sidelined for the past seven games after suffering a right ankle sprain during a tough loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The injury, which occurred in the second half of that game, forced the Suns to adjust on the fly. During Booker’s absence, the team managed a 4-3 record—a testament to their resilience but also a clear indication of how much they missed their offensive engine. Over 11 appearances in January before the injury, Booker averaged an impressive 25.3 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from downtown. That kind of production is hard to replace, and the Suns are eager to see him back in action, even if he’s expected to play under an unspecified minutes restriction tonight.
Jalen Green, meanwhile, has endured a frustrating season marked by injuries. After playing all 82 games in each of the past two seasons, Green has only managed five appearances this year, largely due to a persistent right hamstring strain and, more recently, a left hip contusion suffered after a hard fall in the team’s February 2 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s missed the last three games, during which the Suns went 1-2, including a blowout loss to the Clippers and a heartbreaking collapse against the Golden State Warriors at home. Green’s return is a welcome development for a team that has struggled to find consistency in the backcourt rotation.
“Book, it’s the ankle,” coach Ott explained to the media before tip-off. “The swelling went down. The mobility went up. He just cleared everything in his mind to go out and play. Jalen, it was just the soreness piece (with hip) after the hard fall. Now that the soreness is gone, he feels everything is ready to go. Our group is excited to have those guys back.”
The timing couldn’t be better for Phoenix. With just three games left before the All-Star break, the Suns (31-21) are looking to finish the first half of the season strong and build momentum for a playoff push. The return of Booker and Green gives Ott more flexibility in his rotations and an opportunity to experiment with different combinations, especially since the two have only played four games together this season. In those games, the Suns are 3-1, suggesting that the pairing has real potential when both are healthy.
The Suns’ recent run has been a mixed bag. While they went 11-5 in January, much of that success came without one or both of their star guards. The offense, which relies heavily on spacing and dynamic shot-making, has sputtered at times, particularly against high-energy opponents like the Warriors and Clippers. Players like Dillon Brooks have stepped up in the interim—Brooks was even named Western Conference Player of the Week last week—but there’s no denying the impact that Booker and Green have on both ends of the floor.
“I told him I was going to try to hold it down for him as long as I could,” Brooks said with a smile about Booker after Saturday’s morning shootaround. “We get Devin back for these last three games, the same with JG, create a little bit more chemistry. Give Coach a little bit more film and time to coach us these three games. Having a healthy team going into these last two months will be good for us.”
But it’s not all good news for the Suns. The team will be without Grayson Allen (right knee sprain) and Isaiah Livers (left shoulder sprain) until after the All-Star break. Both players were injured in Thursday’s 101-97 loss to the Warriors—Allen in the fourth quarter after landing on Gary Payton II’s foot, and Livers following a collision with Draymond Green. Coach Ott provided an update: “They got some imaging done. I’ll leave it at right knee (Allen), left shoulder (Livers). Just evaluating today. We’ll get more news about it. Doesn’t seem extreme, but it was just such a weird play with Grayson, kind of stepped on someone’s foot. We hope for the best and we’ll know more soon.”
The Suns have also been active ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony in a multi-team deal. Coffey has joined the team and is available for tonight’s game, while Anthony’s status is still being determined. “Just seeing from afar, his tenure in LA (Clippers),” Ott said of Coffey. “He played really meaningful minutes last year. Just his length, his ability to defend multiple positions. He’s an improved 3-point shooter. We will use his cutting, we’ll use his speed. Same type of deal. An added piece. The kind that just fits exactly how we want to play.”
As for the opposition, the Philadelphia 76ers (29-22) are dealing with injury concerns of their own, with Joel Embiid still listed as questionable and Paul George out due to league suspension. A depleted Sixers squad could provide an ideal setting for Booker and Green to shake off the rust and find their rhythm, but the Suns aren’t taking anything for granted. Ott and his staff will monitor both guards’ minutes closely, with the possibility of adjusting their restrictions depending on how the game unfolds.
Fans and fantasy basketball managers alike are buzzing about Booker’s return, as his offensive prowess is expected to elevate a Suns lineup that has prided itself on defense but struggled at times to generate easy buckets. The team’s “next man up” mentality has kept them afloat, but with the All-Star break looming and the Western Conference standings as tight as ever, Phoenix needs all hands on deck.
Tip-off is scheduled for shortly after 7:00 p.m. MST, and all eyes will be on how Booker and Green handle their first game back. Will the Suns’ offense click into high gear? Can the team build some chemistry and momentum heading into the break? One thing’s for sure—the Valley is ready to welcome its stars back, and the playoff push is officially on.