PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker returned to the lineup for Tuesday night's game against Memphis after missing five games with a left groin strain.
Booker last played Dec. 19 in a loss to Indiana. The Suns lost four of the five games they played without Booker, who is averaging 25.1 points and 6.4 assists.
Suns starting center Jusuf Nurkic is out while serving the second game of a three-game suspension for his involvement in a fight Friday night in a game against Dallas.
For the Grizzlies, guard Ja Morant is out indefinitely with a right shoulder strain, and rookie center Zach Edey is sidelined while in concussion protocol.
Memphis enters the game in Phoenix second in the Western Conference with a 22-11 record. Phoenix is 15-16, tied for 10th in the West.
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives on Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LEICESTER, England (AP) — Jacob Murphy scored twice in the first 11 minutes and set Newcastle on its way to a 3-0 win over a hapless Leicester in the Premier League on Monday.
Murphy’s goals were the main talking point, along with the second-half appearance of Jeremy Monga, who at 15 years, 271 days, became the second youngest player to appear in the Premier League.
Monga replaced Bilal El Khannouss for Leicester 16 minutes from time wearing a different, logo-less shirt from his teammates because he is too young to advertise the betting firm that sponsors the home side.
Murphy scored the opener after two minutes when he stole in at the back post to convert a low cross from Tino Livramento. Leicester had six men inside the six-yard box but the ball went past them all and Murphy made no mistake.
The well-travelled winger scored a breathtaking second nine minutes later thanks largely to the audacity of Fabian Schär.
Schär’s attempt from inside his own half bounced back off the crossbar with goalkeeper Mads Hermansen well beaten but Murphy followed up to slam home the rebound with the Leicester defence AWOL.
Former Leicester winger Harvey Barnes scored the third after 33 minutes when he poked home a Joelinton shot that the keeper parried.
It was a damage limitation exercise from then on for Leicester, which became the first league team to lose eight consecutive home matches without scoring. It remained second to last, three points behind Ipswich and five behind Wolves.
“It’s hard to describe, to be honest, with how it’s been and it makes us feel awful right at the moment," Leicester defender James Justin said. “You feel disconnection and disappointment when you step off the pitch ... it’s not been good enough for a couple of months now.
“I don’t know how many games it’s been since we last picked up a point. It’s a horrible moment for the club with how we’re playing on the pitch and trying to regain any confidence. There were bright spells from the lads who came off the bench and that’s the one positive to take.
“There is still a chance for us and we have to fight and claw for it but we aren’t showing it on the pitch.”
Newcastle moved into fifth, equal on points with the team above it, Chelsea.
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Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, Monday, April 7, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy, left, celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, Monday, April 7, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy, center, celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game with teammate Alexander Isak during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, Monday, April 7, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game with teammate Dan Burn during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England, Monday, April 7, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
