The Phoenix Suns face a significant challenge in their Friday night Western Conference showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers, as they may have to navigate the game without two of their top scorers. Star guard Devin Booker has been ruled out for right ankle injury management, marking his first absence since late February. His scoring prowess and playmaking will be sorely missed on the road in a hostile Crypto.com Arena environment.

Adding to the Suns' concerns, dynamic wing Jalen Green is listed as questionable due to right knee soreness. Green exited Wednesday's win over Dallas early, and if he can't suit up, Phoenix's offensive firepower takes another major hit. His potential absence would be his first missed game since mid-February, forcing role players like Ryan Dunn and Rasheer Fleming into larger minutes.

With Booker sidelined, look for guards Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen to shoulder more of the offensive load. The Suns will need a collective effort to compensate for the missing production. The team has also ruled out Jordan Goodwin (left ankle sprain) and Haywood Highsmith (right knee management), testing their depth even further.

This crucial late-season matchup tips off at 10:30 p.m. ET from Los Angeles. For the Suns, battling for playoff positioning, finding a way to win without key contributors would be a major statement of resilience as the regular season winds down.