Is Devin Booker playing tonight against the Nuggets? Latest on Suns' superstar's availability for NBA Christmas Day clash (Dec. 25)

Devin Booker has been ruled out once again, this time for the marquee Christmas Day matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. Booker continues to nurse a groin injury that caused him to miss the Suns' last two games, including a loss in Denver on Dec. 23.

Booker sustained the injury during the Suns' Dec. 19 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Without Booker, the Suns have now lost three straight games, bringing their record to an even 14-14.

Booker's superstar teammate, Kevin Durant, addressed the impact of the shooting guard's absence, expressing how difficult it is, especially since the team has been playing solid basketball with Booker in the lineup.

"You hate that injuries can get in the way of beautiful basketball, the game of basketball…It’s a part of it, but it still sucks, tough to take. Hopefully, Booker gets better by the hour. We’ll see how he feels the next couple of days and go from there," Durant said.

The Christmas Day game will be the second straight matchup between the Nuggets and the Suns. The Nuggets beat the Suns in Denver, 117-90, despite being without Jamal Murray due to an ankle injury.

Booker is a big part of the Suns’ offense, averaging 25.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game this season. He also shoots 34.5 percent from the three-point line on over seven attempts per game.

Aside from Booker, the Suns will also be without guard Grayson Allen due to concussion protocols and without forward Bol Bol due to a left knee contusion.

Phoenix Suns’ head coach provides update on Devin Booker’s injury progression

Devin Booker's absence has left a significant gap in the Phoenix Suns' rotation under coach Mike Budenholzer. The Suns' tactician provided an update on Booker's injury, sharing all the information he has so far.

“(He is) mostly in the training room and weight room just working on it,” Budenholzer said on Dec. 21. “We just got to see how the next couple of days go.”

The Suns' staff are cautious due to Booker's history with groin injuries, as he has sustained similar injuries in previous seasons.

“There’s definitely an awareness…Me being new, it’s definitely been brought up. I don’t think it’s going to change to be over-analyzed,” Budenholzer, who won an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks against the Suns in 2021, said.

It is Budenholzer’s first season with the Suns after the team fired Frank Vogel last year, following a sweep in the first round of the playoffs.

The Suns last played the Nuggets on Christmas Day in 2022, the year when Denver won the NBA championship. It was a different Suns team back then, as they still had Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton on the roster.