Devin Booker Off Injury Report, Haywood Highsmith Could Debut as Suns Face Kings
Devin Booker has been removed from the Phoenix Suns' injury report ahead of Tuesday night's matchup with the Sacramento Kings, restoring the team's leading scorer after a recent absence. The move matters because Booker’s availability immediately alters Phoenix’s rotation and scoring plan for the 9 p. m. MST tipoff at Golden 1 Center.
Devin Booker’s Practice, Playing Status and Impact
Booker returned to full-contact work in practice, completing 5-on-5 sessions with members of Phoenix's rotation over the weekend. That on-court work followed a right hip strain that sidelined him for four straight games; he also missed seven games earlier in the season due to a sprained ankle. Head coach Jordan Ott described Booker’s return as an example of his experience managing recovery: "He knows his body better than anyone. Incredible recovery. So, he knows how he's supposed to feel. How he's supposed to feel when he plays. "
Beyond the timeline of missed games, Booker’s season-long production underscores why his status is pivotal. He has led the Suns in scoring, averaging 24. 7 points on 45. 4% shooting, along with 6. 1 assists and 3. 9 rebounds per contest. The immediate effect of his removal from the injury list is that Phoenix regains its primary offensive option for a matchup in which Sacramento is also dealing with extensive absences, changing game-plan decisions for both coaches.
Haywood Highsmith Expected Season Debut After Meniscus Surgery
Forward Haywood Highsmith, who signed with Phoenix last month, is expected to make his season debut after rehabbing from a right-knee torn meniscus surgery performed in August 2025. The sixth-year forward’s availability adds frontcourt depth for the Suns, a timely development given other injuries on the roster.
Also available is Khaman Maluach, who had been listed as questionable with a right thumb sprain but is now cleared to play. Conversely, Dillon Brooks remains out with a left hand fracture and Jordan Goodwin is sidelined by a left calf strain; Goodwin is ramping up on-court work but will be reevaluated within the next week. That sequence — Highsmith moving toward a debut and Goodwin awaiting further assessment — produces roster ripple effects that will shape substitution patterns and minutes distribution against Sacramento.
Suns Transactions, Eligibility and Kings' Key Absences
Phoenix has acted on roster construction in recent days. The team re-signed forward CJ Huntley to a two-way contract and converted guard Jamaree Bouyea’s two-way deal to a standard contract, making Bouyea eligible to play in the postseason. The Suns also waived guard Cole Anthony after acquiring him, along with Amir Coffey, in an earlier transaction. Those official moves change both short-term availability and postseason eligibility rules for the roster.
On the opponent side, Sacramento will be without multiple regular contributors for the foreseeable future, altering the competitive landscape of the matchup. Long-term absences include Zach LaVine (finger tendon repair), Domantas Sabonis (meniscus repair) and De'Andre Hunter (retinal repair). Starting forward Keegan Murray and rookie Dylan Cardwell are also out with ankle sprains. The concentration of injuries on both teams makes Phoenix’s regained availability of Booker and the potential debut of Highsmith particularly notable for game planning and matchup decisions.
With Booker back in 5-on-5 work and roster moves that affect postseason eligibility and depth, the Suns enter Sacramento with a revised rotation and clearer options for attack and defense. The timing matters because Booker’s return coincides with a stretch in which the team needs its primary scorer to steady offensive output while several opponents adjust to their own injury lists.
