At least one All-Star will be on the sidelines for the NBA’s Christmas Day showdown.
The Phoenix Suns has ruled out guard Devin Booker for their Christmas nightcap against the Denver Nuggets. Booker will miss his third-straight game with a groin injury suffered Thursday against the Indiana Pacers.
After being initially listed with the ulcer, Booker was drafted with a left hamstring strain on Tuesday’s injury report. Grayson Allen (concussion) and Bol Bol (left knee contusion) will also miss Thursday’s game. The Suns will host the Nuggets two days after a 117-90 loss to Denver on the road.
For the Nuggets, the point guard Jamal Murray is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain that sidelined him for Monday’s win over the Suns.
There are other injury marks around the league for Thursday’s five-game Christmas slate.
Them The Lakers have drafted LeBron James (left leg injury management), Anthony Davis (left shoulder contusion) and D’Angelo Russell (left thumb injury) are all questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Warriors. James had the same choice on Monday and played in the Lakers’ 117-114 loss to the Pistons.
Them The Celtics are listed Jayson Tatum (illness), Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement) and Derrick White (right hamstring tightness) are 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, are listed as possible with a heel spur for Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves. Dončić returned in Monday’s 132-108 win over the Trail Blazers after missing two games with the injury.
