The Phoenix Suns are breathing a collective sigh of relief as star guards Devin Booker and Jalen Green return to action just in time for a pivotal stretch before the NBA All-Star break. After a challenging period marred by injuries and inconsistency, the Suns welcome back two of their most dynamic playmakers for Saturday night’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
Head coach Jordan Ott confirmed the good news during his pregame press conference on February 7, 2026: "Book, it's the ankle. 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."
Booker, a five-time All-Star, has been sidelined since January 23 after suffering a right ankle sprain in the second half of a tough loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The Suns went 4-3 during his absence, a stretch that exposed the team's vulnerability without their offensive engine. Jalen Green, meanwhile, has been limited by a right hamstring injury and a left hip contusion, missing the last three games after a nasty fall in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 2. Green’s season has been plagued by injuries, restricting him to just five appearances so far.
"I told him I was going to try to hold it down for him as long as I could," said forward Dillon Brooks with a smile after Saturday's morning shootaround, referring to Booker’s absence. Brooks, who was recently named Western Conference Player of the Week, added, "If 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 (before the All-Star break), so we can look at it and read it, I think it'll be good for us. Having a healthy team going into these last two months will be good for us."
Booker’s return comes with a caveat: he will play under a minutes restriction, though the exact limit remains unspecified and could shift depending on the game’s flow. Before his injury, Booker was averaging 25.3 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds across 11 January games, shooting 45.3% from the field and 34.5% from beyond the arc. His ability to draw defensive attention and create chaos on offense is exactly what the Suns have been missing.
Jalen Green, for his part, has only played in four games alongside Booker this season. In those contests, the Suns posted a 3-1 record, hinting at the duo’s potential to elevate Phoenix’s offense. Ott highlighted Green’s resilience and positive mindset, especially after a frustrating run of injuries: "He does have a youthfulness to him that I think helps him on some of these down days where you never really feel how down he is. The end is in sight. He can feel he's very close so that's obviously helpful and when he steps on the court, everyone feels his kind of who he is. That's the exciting part is when he gets out there, everyone feels it just by him being out there in a jersey."
While the Suns are regaining two key guards, they’re still not at full strength. Grayson Allen (right knee sprain) and Isaiah Livers (left shoulder sprain) both suffered injuries in Thursday’s 101-97 loss to the Golden State Warriors and will be out until at least after the All-Star break. Ott explained, "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 timing of Booker and Green’s return couldn’t be better for Phoenix, who currently sit at 31-21 and are looking to solidify their playoff positioning with three games remaining before the break. The Suns enjoyed a strong January, finishing 11-5 despite missing one or both of their star guards for much of that run. However, the offense often sputtered without their presence, underscoring their value to the team’s spacing, shot creation, and overall rhythm.
Ott and his staff now face the intriguing challenge of reintegrating Booker and Green into the rotation. Both players have thrived in various roles, including stints with the second unit, and their versatility will give Ott options as he navigates the final games before the All-Star festivities. There’s also the added wrinkle of new faces: Amir Coffey, acquired in a three-team trade before the February 5 deadline, is available for the Suns tonight. Ott praised Coffey’s defensive versatility and improved shooting, saying, "Just seeing from afar, his tenure in LA (Clippers). 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."
Cole Anthony, also acquired in the deal, is not yet with the team as his status is still being determined. The Suns’ roster has certainly seen some shuffling, but the core group is coming together at a critical juncture.
On the other side, the 76ers are also dealing with key absences—Joel Embiid remains questionable with a right knee issue, and Paul George is out due to a league suspension. For Phoenix, this presents an opportunity to capitalize on a depleted Philadelphia squad, though nothing is guaranteed in the ever-unpredictable NBA.
For fantasy basketball managers, Booker’s return is a welcome development, as he immediately brings explosive offensive potential back to the Suns’ lineup. His minutes may be limited initially, but his impact is undeniable against a defensively stout 76ers team.
As tip-off approaches, the atmosphere in Phoenix is charged with anticipation. The Suns have weathered the storm of injuries with a gritty, next-man-up mentality, but there’s no denying the boost that comes from seeing Booker and Green back in uniform. With three games left before the All-Star break and a playoff race heating up, every possession counts.
Fans and teammates alike are eager to see what the returning stars can do—and whether their presence will be the spark Phoenix needs to finish the first half of the season on a high note. With the lineup nearly whole again, the Suns are poised to make some noise as the NBA calendar turns toward its most crucial months.