The Phoenix Suns’ first game after the NBA All-Star break was meant to be a statement of renewed strength, but it quickly turned into a tale of adversity and missed opportunities. On February 19, 2026, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, the Suns faced off against the surging San Antonio Spurs in their third matchup of the season. What was supposed to be a fresh start for Phoenix became a night to forget, as injuries and suspensions left the team scrambling for answers against one of the Western Conference’s hottest squads.
Coming into the night, the Spurs were riding a six-game winning streak and boasted a 38-16 record, good for second place in the West. The Suns, meanwhile, sat in seventh at 32-23 and were looking to bounce back after dropping three of their last four games before the break. The stakes were high, and the basketball world was watching as the NBA returned to NBC and Peacock, bringing a nostalgic energy to the evening’s broadcast.
But just hours before tipoff, the Suns’ hopes took a hit. Grayson Allen, who had missed the last three games due to a right knee sprain, suffered a right ankle sprain during a morning shootaround at the University of Texas practice facility. Despite not appearing on the team’s initial injury report, Allen was ruled out for the game. Head coach Jordan Ott admitted before the game, “We’ll know more tomorrow if the injury is serious enough for Allen to miss significant time.”
As if that wasn’t enough, the Suns were also without Dillon Brooks, who was serving a one-game suspension after accumulating 16 technical fouls this season. Cole Anthony, recently acquired in a three-team trade, remained “not with team” as the Suns continued to work through his status. The absence of these key players left Phoenix thin on the wings and forced adjustments to their starting five.
Devin Booker, the Suns’ star guard, was expected to shoulder the offensive load. Booker had been averaging 25.2 points and 6.3 assists in 43 games this season, but he’d also missed eight of the last ten contests due to a nagging right ankle injury. He had just returned to action before the break, even participating in the NBA All-Star 3-point contest and the U.S. vs. World All-Star game. The hope was that he could spark the Suns’ attack against a Spurs defense that had been elite, allowing just 110.1 points per game over their last ten outings.
The game started with promise, but that optimism evaporated quickly. Booker checked out with 5:24 remaining in the first quarter after a Phoenix turnover, and after a brief return late in the first half, he exited again with 2:35 left before halftime. Booker played only nine minutes in total, managing five points on 2-of-6 shooting and grabbing a single rebound. The Suns’ medical staff later ruled him out for the rest of the game due to right hip soreness. Jordan Goodwin started the third quarter in Booker’s place, but the damage was already done.
“It’s tough seeing your leader go down, especially when we needed him most,” said a visibly frustrated Suns teammate after the loss. Booker’s recent injury woes have been a recurring theme; he missed seven straight games with a right ankle sprain suffered back on January 23 against the Atlanta Hawks and had only just begun to regain his rhythm.
With Booker sidelined and Allen unavailable, the offensive burden fell to Jalen Green, who was making his return to the starting lineup after battling his own series of injuries. Green, who had played in just seven games prior due to a right hamstring issue and a left hip contusion, seized the moment. He poured in a game-high 26 points in just his eighth appearance of the season, shooting 6-of-12 from the field in the first half and finishing strong even as the Suns struggled to keep pace. “Everything feels good. Probably the best I’ve felt all season,” Green said after the morning shootaround, and his performance certainly backed up those words.
Despite Green’s heroics, the Suns found themselves trailing by as many as 19 points in the first half and ultimately went into the break down 61-49. The Spurs, led by rookie sensation Stephon Castle’s 13 first-half points and Victor Wembanyama’s 10 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, were relentless. San Antonio’s balanced attack, featuring Wembanyama (24.4 points per game) and De’Aaron Fox (19.4 points per game), proved too much for Phoenix’s depleted roster.
By the final buzzer, the Spurs had secured a dominant 121-94 victory—marking their first win over the Suns in three meetings this season. San Antonio improved to 39-16, further solidifying their place near the top of the Western Conference, while Phoenix dropped to 32-24. The Suns trailed by as many as 32 points, a stark contrast to their earlier success against San Antonio. The two teams are set to meet once more on March 19 in San Antonio, a date the Suns will surely circle as a chance for redemption.
The night also marked a return to action for Haywood Highsmith, at least in a limited capacity. Highsmith, who underwent knee surgery in August 2025 and had yet to play this season, traveled with the team and participated in pregame workouts. “We’re excited to have him,” said coach Ott. “Right now, he just continues to go through more testing with our group. We want to get him back out there, but we want him to be right.”
For the Spurs, the win was another feather in the cap of a season that has seen them dominate at home with a 19-6 record. Their defense has been a cornerstone, and their recent run has them looking every bit the contender. “We just keep playing our game and trusting each other,” Stephon Castle said after leading the team with 20 points. “Every night, someone steps up.”
Phoenix, on the other hand, is left with more questions than answers. With Booker’s status uncertain due to his hip injury and Allen’s ankle sprain requiring further evaluation, the Suns’ depth will be tested in the coming days. Their next opportunity comes quickly, as they return home to face the Orlando Magic on February 21 at 3 p.m. MST. Whether Booker and Allen will be available remains to be seen, and the team will need to regroup fast to avoid slipping further in the standings.
As the dust settles on a challenging night in Austin, the Suns must confront their injury woes head-on and find a way to reignite their early-season form. The Spurs, meanwhile, continue to roll, their sights set firmly on a deep postseason run. One thing’s for sure: the Western Conference race is heating up, and both teams will have plenty to prove when they meet again in March.