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Per release of the team, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker underwent surgery to repair the 5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of his right hand this past Monday. The surgery was performed by Dr. Steven Shin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
Booker initially injured his hand on March 14, jamming it during practice. He went on to miss the last 12 games of the year and was wearing a splint in order to help improve his status. He was able to work out through the summer, but recent swelling spurred the decision to undergo the procedure.
MCP joints are ball and socket joints that make up the knuckles in the hand, allowing a wide array of motion. In Booker’s case, the jam caused enough inflammation that the hand would swell and make it difficult to shoot and ball handle. Normally, resting, splinting, and therapy would suffice. However, with the amount of work that Booker put in during the summer, it may have been too much stress for the joint. Surgery was the next step for him for long-term relief.
Six weeks is the initial timetable to return for the 21-year-old sharpshooter. He’ll be missing training camp and a chance to gel with the Suns’ young nucleus of DeAndre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Jackson.
The Suns will be depending on their youngins alongside newly acquired vet Trevor Ariza and his leadership to stay afloat until Booker returns. Hopefully it’ll only be a couple games at the beginning of the season.