Phoenix Suns injury report (Dec. 31): Latest on Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and key starter

The Phoenix Suns will continue to play shorthanded on New Year’s Eve as they face the Memphis Grizzlies. The Suns have struggled with injuries to key players, losing seven of their last 10 games and sliding down the stacked Western Conference standings.

Injuries have been the main culprit in the Suns' recent losing skid, especially with Phoenix superstar Devin Booker out due to a left groin injury, his return timetable remaining uncertain. In the meantime, the Suns will have to rely on the duo of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, who have been carrying the team's offensive load over the past week.

The Suns, now sitting at 15-16, face a formidable challenge against the Memphis Grizzlies, who have been on a roll with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games.

The Grizzlies have also been missing Ja Morant, who suffered a joint strain following a rough screen from New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis on Friday night. According to an ESPN report, Morant will be week-to-week, and he wore a shoulder cast in the previous game against the West top-seed OKC Thunder.

Without Morant and Booker due to injuries, the Suns-Grizzlies matchup will rely heavily on other players to step up and deliver.

Phoenix Suns injury report: Latest updates on Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and others

Devin Booker’s groin injury has kept him day-to-day for the past five games. However, head coach Mike Budenholzer provided an optimistic update, indicating that Booker could be available for the upcoming game against the Grizzlies:

“Devin did pretty much all of practice…We got in some 5-on-5. It was a good day for Book,” the Suns head coach said.

Booker has been one of the focal points of the Suns’ offense, averaging 25.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.

Aside from Booker, the Suns are also expected to be without Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and Bol Bol.

Allen has been in concussion protocol and is listed as probable to play against Memphis on New Year's Eve. According to Allen, he has been "feeling good" recently and is slowly getting back into game shape.

“No more concussion symptoms, nothing. Got like a few days of ramp-up. Through stages of concussion protocol. All gone well. I’m in a good spot now,” he said.

Meanwhile, O’Neale is questionable due to an ankle injury sustained in their previous game against the Golden State Warriors. He rolled his left ankle while challenging a shot by the Warriors’ Dennis Schroder.

Bol Bol will also miss the game as he recovers from a knee injury. He last played for the Suns on Dec. 9 and has only appeared in seven games this season.