It’s been an up-and-down 2022-23 season for the Phoenix Suns that is suddenly about to get more dramatic. On Wednesday afternoon, reports surfaced that superstar guard Devin Booker will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a left groin strain, an injry that has bothered him for weeks now.
Although not talked about nearly enough, Booker’s play has kept the Suns in good shape amidst constant trade speculation, injuries and some team chemistry issues following their second-round collapse to the Dallas Mavericks last postseason.
Phoenix is currently in fifth place in the Western Conference (20-15), and without Booker, they’ll need to look elsewhere to stay afloat.
Suns star Devin Booker will miss at least four weeks with a left groin strain, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 28, 2022
Can the Suns actually avoid sliding in the standings? They’re 2-4 on the season without Booker, which suggests they might struggle going forward. If you believe this to be the case, betting on the Suns to come out of the Western Conference could be a good idea if they dip in the standings and see their odds grow longer (currently +300).
Or perhaps Phoenix can weather the storm in Booker’s absence. In that case, perimeter players like Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and Mikal Bridges could all see an uptick in their usage and production (when it comes to player props, I’d suggest betting on their overs in the upcoming games).
Nevertheless, the Suns’ win totals at BetMGM remain at 50.5. Before they embark on this tough road ahead without their best player, it may be a good time to get some wagering on those totals done.