Suns update: Devin Booker on course to return this week after second re-evaluation

Devin Booker appears on course to return this week as he’s scheduled for a second re-evaluation Wednesday for a left groin strain he suffered Christmas Day at Denver.

"He's lifting a ton," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "He's been on the court a little bit. Each day, he's doing more and more, but as far as an official update, there's really nothing else to report, but you can use your imagination. He's getting to a place where he's doing more. He hasn't played 5-on-5 yet. So that doesn't even come close to checking that box and having his body respond to that stimulus or that situation, but he is doing a bit more, but all the guys are. They're ramping up trying to get back on the floor as fast as they can."

The three-time All-Star will miss his 18th consecutive game with the left groin strain Monday against Toronto. The Suns (26-25) are 7-10 in their last 17 games without Booker, but they’re 5-1 in their last six.

Phoenix plays Wednesday against Atlanta before beginning a five-game road trip Friday at Boston. The Suns have been having the media leave the practice courts at the practice facility as Booker has been having workouts.

"Everybody is excited," Suns big Dario Saric said after Monday morning's shootaround. "He's our best player. He hasn't played in like a month. Every team in the league who has their best player out is going to have some hard times. We're happy he's going to come back soon to us. He's going to bring us to another level. It's going to be good for us for sure."

The Suns also are still without Cameron Payne (right foot sprain) and Landry Shamet (right foot soreness). Payne hasn’t played since Jan. 4 at Cleveland while Shamet hasn’t seen action since Jan. 16 at Memphis.

Payne and Shamet made the trip to San Antonio for Saturday’s overtime win over the Spurs as did Booker.

“They didn't do anything (Friday),” said Williams after Friday’s practice about Shamet and Payne. “They’re getting close as far as recovering, but they still haven’t done enough to make any type of assessment as far as when they’ll be back. They just love being around the team. It’s a great sign when your players could stay home, but they say, “No, I want to be with my team.’”

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: Suns' Devin Booker on course to return this week after re-evaluation