Suns Beat Spurs Without Booker, Who Targets an Oct. 14 Return

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 11

Phoenix beat San Antonio 102-98 in its preseason home opener without Devin Booker, who sat out for rest and is targeting a return October 14. Luke Kennard led with 20 points and Khaman Maluach added 10 points and 15 rebounds in his first look against Victor Wembanyama.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Booker sits, Suns win. Devin Booker was ruled out for rest, per Arizona Sports, and missed Phoenix's 102-98 win over San Antonio. He is now listed with the same designation and a return targeted for Oct. 14, the date of the rematch in San Antonio.

Maluach handles Wembanyama. Khaman Maluach put up 10 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and a block over 23 minutes, plus a plus-14 mark, drawing praise from Arizona Sports for his look against Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 6-of-14 shooting.

Kennard, Green carry the scoring. Luke Kennard scored 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 4 of 10 from three, with five rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes. Jalen Green added 18 points, five assists and three rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting, finishing plus-12 in 29 minutes.

Phoenix never trailed. Phoenix led wire to wire, going up 35-23 after one quarter and building a 15-point cushion before San Antonio trimmed it in the fourth. A 13-0 surge midway through the first quarter put the game out of reach early, and the final margin held at 102-98.

Bench chips in. Jordan Goodwin scored eight points on 3-of-7 shooting, and Oso Ighodaro added eight points, five assists, five rebounds and two blocks off the bench. Starters outscored reserves 69-27, Phoenix's deepest look yet at how its second unit fits.

Williams' return: February. Mark Williams' shoulder surgery now carries a projected return date of February 3, 2027, sidelining him for the opening months of the season. Phoenix has yet to play him this preseason, leaning instead on Maluach and Duop Reath at center.

On deck Phoenix visits San Antonio for a preseason rematch Wednesday, October 14, the same day Booker and Bridges are targeting returns, before hosting Utah on October 16 and opening the regular season October 21 at Portland.

Did Devin Booker play against the Spurs?

No. Booker was ruled out for rest and did not play in Phoenix's 102-98 win on October 10.

When is Mark Williams expected back?

Williams' shoulder recovery carries a projected return date of February 3, 2027, so he will miss the start of the regular season.