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Suns Suffer Another Injury Blow: Brooks Out with Broken Hand

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, February 21st 2026 at 22:36 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: Arizona, California, UNITED STATES

Phoenix, AZ - February 22nd, 2026 - The Phoenix Suns are navigating a treacherous stretch of the season, grappling with key injuries that threaten their playoff positioning. The team received another blow this weekend with the confirmation that guard Damion Brooks has suffered a broken left hand, sidelining him indefinitely. This news comes as veteran Cam Johnson continues his recovery from a torn meniscus, leaving the Suns significantly thin in their guard rotation with only 14 games remaining in the regular season.

Coach Frank Vogel confirmed the severity of Brooks' injury after Saturday's game, stating that the guard fell awkwardly, resulting in the fracture. "He fell on it," Vogel explained. "X-rays came back positive. We'll re-evaluate him in a few weeks." The timeline for Brooks' return remains unclear, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the Suns' playoff prospects.

With both Johnson and Brooks unavailable, the Suns are forced to adapt and rely on depth. The team has announced that forward Torrey Craig will step into the starting lineup in place of Brooks. This marks a significant shift for Craig, who has primarily served as a valuable contributor off the bench. However, Vogel expressed confidence in Craig's ability to handle the increased responsibility.

"Torrey's going to start," Vogel stated. "We've been on this path for a while. Torrey's going to play a lot of minutes, for sure. He's been getting better every game and doing a great job." The coach's comments suggest that the Suns had been considering increased playing time for Craig even before the injuries, indicating a strategic plan to integrate him more fully into the starting rotation. This potentially highlights a belief in Craig's defensive capabilities and veteran presence - qualities the Suns will desperately need as they navigate a challenging schedule.

Currently holding a record of 38-29, the Suns occupy the fourth seed in the Western Conference. However, their position is far from secure. They hold a slender two-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers, both of whom are aggressively pursuing playoff contention. Furthermore, the Denver Nuggets, the reigning champions, are just three games ahead, aiming to solidify their top seed. This compressed competition in the West underscores the urgency of the Suns' situation. Any further setbacks could quickly see them fall down the standings.

The remaining schedule doesn't offer much respite. The Suns face a series of tough opponents, including potential playoff teams from both conferences. They will need consistent contributions from their remaining starters - Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Jusuf Nurkic - as well as increased production from their bench players to remain competitive. The team's success will hinge on their ability to overcome adversity and embrace a collective effort.

Beyond Craig's immediate impact, the Suns will be looking for other players to step up in Brooks' absence. Guards like Saben Lee and Keita Bates-Diop will likely see an increase in minutes, providing valuable opportunities to showcase their abilities. The team may also explore potential trade or buyout options to add further depth to their roster, although the window for significant moves is rapidly closing as the trade deadline has passed.

The loss of Brooks is particularly damaging because of his emerging role as a key facilitator and perimeter defender. His ability to create scoring opportunities and disrupt opposing offenses will be sorely missed. Similarly, Johnson's absence robs the team of a versatile scorer and floor spacer. The Suns' offensive schemes will need adjustments to account for these deficiencies.

Ultimately, the next few weeks will be a critical test for the Phoenix Suns. The combined injuries to Brooks and Johnson present a significant hurdle, but the team believes it has the resilience and talent to overcome these challenges and make a legitimate playoff run. The pressure is on, and every game will be a battle as they fight to secure their place in the Western Conference postseason picture.