Right move for the Phoenix Suns to rest Devin Booker

After struggling for a few games, the Phoenix Suns did the right thing on Sunday and shut Devin Booker down, giving him the day off against New Orleans.

Even without injuries, the Phoenix Suns have lost many games from their rotation. Jae Crowder played 67 regular games for the Suns last season and has not once laced up his hightops. Cameron Johnson has now missed 19 straight games with a meniscus issue, and Chris Paul just returned from 14 games out with a foot injury.  And those are just the major injuries thus far.

The point is the Suns have had a lot of important players missing a lot of basketball, which has put an even greater load on the team’s one superstar, Devin Booker. Until his mini-slump over the last week, DBook, has been playing like an MVP. Averaging over 27 points, five rebounds, and six assists, Booker has been nothing short of phenomenal for Phoenix so far this season.

Booker is doing a lot for Phoenix, and he needs a break

However, those stats and Books contributions have come at a price, with Devin averaging over 35 minutes per contest. So heavy has been Booker’s workload that he has played over 40 minutes in twice as many games (6) as he has under 30 minutes (3).

Given that Booker picked up a hamstring issue against Dallas but still played 30 minutes and then again in the next two games, it made sense to shut the shooting guard down.

Hamstrings can be tricky issues, where they can heal very quickly or linger and nag a player all season long. With Phoenix’s next game a trip to the Western Conference’s worst, Houston Rockets, it is possible Booker could take another game off as players like Paul and Bridges look to find a shared rhythm.

The Suns then play at the LA Clippers on Thursday, which would have given Booker five days to rest his hamstring and be ready to go again. With a big four-game homestand with New Orleans, the Lakers, and Memphis on the horizon, a little rest with the big picture in mind makes the most sense.