Suns update: Devin Booker out Thursday at Hawks under groin injury management

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots past Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in New York. The Suns won 116-112.

ATLANTA – Devin Booker’s smile is officially back.

The Phoenix Suns All-Star made his return Tuesday at Brooklyn after missing 21 games with a left groin strain. He scored 19 points in the 116-112 victory.

The Suns (30-26) have won nine of their last 11 games.

“It feels so good, so good,” Booker said after the game. “That’s all I want right there. Just competition and being back out there with the band. Just feeling that energy, feeling that presence. Team has it rolling right now so I just insert myself in a way that wasn’t disruptive and try to keep the flow that they have.”

After being on a minute restriction Tuesday, Booker will sit Thursday at Atlanta (27-28) under injury management. The Suns conclude their five-game road trip Friday at Indiana (25-30).

The Hawks blasted them by 32 points last week in Phoenix.

Landry Shamet (foot) and Cameron Payne (foot) remain out as well. Payne hasn’t played since Jan. 4 at Cleveland and Landry Shamet last saw action on Jan. 16 at Memphis.

Jae Crowder remains listed on the roster as the trade deadline is Thursday at 1 p.m. Phoenix time.

The Suns have been trying to move Crowder and the two sides “mutually agreed” the veteran forward wouldn’t attend training camp.

Read more: Mat Ishbia introduced as new owner of Suns, Mercury franchises

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns update: Devin Booker (groin) out at Atlanta Hawks