There will be a missing All-Star player in the NBA’s Christmas day lineup.
Devin Booker, the guard for the Phoenix Suns, has been ruled out for the Christmas night game against the Denver Nuggets due to a groin injury sustained in a game against the Indiana Pacers. This will be his third consecutive missed game. Initially listed with a sore groin, Booker was later diagnosed with a left groin strain. Grayson Allen (concussion) and Bol Bol (left knee contusion) will also be absent from the Suns’ lineup. The Suns will face the Nuggets at home following a 117-90 loss to Denver on the road.
On the other side, the Nuggets’ point guard Jamal Murray is questionable for the game due to an ankle sprain that kept him out of Monday’s game against the Suns.
Several other players around the league have injury designations for the Christmas day games.
The Lakers have listed LeBron James (left foot injury management), Anthony Davis (left shoulder contusion), and D’Angelo Russell (left thumb sprain) as questionable for their game against the Warriors on Christmas. James played in the Lakers’ previous game despite the same designation. The Celtics have listed Jayson Tatum (illness), Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement), and Derrick White (right hamstring tightness) as questionable for their game against the 76ers. Joel Embiid is available for the 76ers after missing several games.
Mavericks’ All-Star Luka Dončić is probable for the game against the Timberwolves after returning from an injury in their previous game.