At least one All-Star will be sidelined during the NBA showcase on Christmas Day.
The Phoenix Suns have ruled out guard Devin Booker for their Christmas nightcap against the Denver Nuggets. Booker will miss a third straight game due to a groin injury he suffered against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
After initially being admitted with groin soreness, Booker was listed on Tuesday’s injury report with a left groin strain. Grayson Allen (concussion) and Bol Bol (left knee contusion) will also miss Wednesday’s match. The Suns will host the Nuggets two days after a 117-90 loss to Denver on the road.
For the Nuggets, point guard Jamal Murray is listed as questionable due to an ankle sprain that sidelined him in Monday’s win over the Suns.
There are other notable injury indications in the league ahead of Wednesday’s five-match Christmas series.
The Lakers are naming LeBron James (left foot injury management), Anthony Davis (left shoulder contusion) and D’Angelo Russell (left thumb sprain) all questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Warriors. James held the same title on Monday, playing in the Lakers’ 117-114 loss to the Pistons.
The Celtics have listed Jayson Tatum (illness), Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement) and Derrick White (right hamstring tightness) as questionable for their Christmas game against the 76ers. Tatum’s illness sidelined him for Monday’s 108-104 loss to the Magic. For the 76ers, Joel Embiid is listed as available after missing 19 of Philadelphia’s first 27 games for various reasons.
Mavericks All-Star Luka Dončić, meanwhile, is listed as likely with a heel contusion for Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves. Dončić returned in Monday’s 132-108 win over the Trail Blazers after missing two games due to the injury.
