Suns to Face Clippers Without Jalen Green, Devin Booker
Phoenix will be without key scorers Jalen Green and Devin Booker as it hosts Los Angeles, testing its depth against a playoff-contending Clippers team.
- Glenn Catubig
- 3 min read
The Phoenix Suns return home on Sunday night for a Western Conference clash with the Los Angeles Clippers, a matchup that carries weight both for playoff positioning and early-season momentum. While the Suns have been performing well as a team, they enter this contest without two of their most dynamic offensive players.
Jalen Green, who has battled a right hamstring strain and a left hip contusion, was listed as questionable leading up to the game but has been ruled out. Green has appeared in just four games since arriving in Phoenix via trade from Houston, including Friday’s blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, leaving the team without one of its emerging scoring threats.
Devin Booker will also miss the game due to an ankle sprain, continuing his recovery after being sidelined in recent contests. Booker’s absence further tests the Suns’ depth and ability to maintain their offensive rhythm against a competitive Clippers squad.
Los Angeles comes into the matchup without any new injuries, aside from long-term absentees like Bradley Beal and Derrick Jones Jr. The Clippers are expected to field a mostly healthy lineup, giving them an edge in continuity and experience against a Suns roster missing key contributors.
1. Green’s Absence Creates Opportunities
Jalen Green’s continued absence limits the Suns’ wing depth and scoring versatility. His combination of athleticism and shooting ability could have been a major factor in Sunday’s matchup, particularly against the Clippers’ perimeter defenders. Head coach Jordan Ott must now lean on veterans and role players to fill the scoring void. Players such as Dillon Brooks and Mikal Bridges may see extended minutes and added responsibility to maintain the team’s offensive balance. Despite limited appearances this season, Green has shown flashes of potential in Phoenix, including his recent performance against Cleveland. His eventual integration into the team promises to boost an already high-functioning offense, but for now, the Suns must adapt without him. The team’s handling of Green’s recovery and eventual return will be critical for their long-term prospects, as Phoenix balances health management with its current hot start to the season.
2. Booker Out, Suns Rely on Depth
Devin Booker’s ankle injury continues to keep one of Phoenix’s primary scorers off the court. His absence places even greater pressure on supporting cast members to generate points and stabilize the offense. Dillon Brooks has emerged as a key contributor, including a 40-point performance earlier this week, proving the team can still produce at a high level without its star guards. Other players, such as Cameron Johnson and Landry Shamet, may see increased roles to compensate for Booker’s and Green’s absences. Defensively, the Suns must adjust rotations to account for missing athletic wings who can guard multiple positions. Maintaining team cohesion and limiting mismatches will be essential against a Clippers squad capable of exploiting gaps. Sunday’s contest serves as a test of Phoenix’s depth, and how the team responds without its top scorers could set the tone for the next stretch of games.
3. Clippers Healthy and Ready
Los Angeles will enter the matchup largely healthy, aside from players already ruled out long-term. The absence of Bradley Beal and Derrick Jones Jr. has been absorbed over the season, leaving the Clippers with a relatively stable rotation. With their core group available, the Clippers can exploit the Suns’ short-handed roster and look to establish control early. Their backcourt and wing rotations are particularly well-positioned to pressure Phoenix’s adjusted lineups. The team’s balance between veteran experience and young talent offers multiple avenues to attack, both offensively and defensively. This could create opportunities against a Suns lineup missing Green and Booker. For Los Angeles, Sunday’s game is a chance to test its consistency and cohesion against a team that has thrived despite injuries, giving the Clippers a measuring stick for their own playoff aspirations.