Suns vs. Clippers Thursday NBA injury report, odds: Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac questionable, spread in flux

In theory, the marquee game in the NBA tonight is Phoenix at the Los Angeles Clippers (shown nationally on NBA TV), but there could be several key players missing on each side – thus, it's probably wise not to wager on this one until much closer to the 10:30 p.m. ET tipoff time from LA. The Clippers are currently -1.5 at Caesars Sportsbook, but that may swing a handful of points in either direction over the next several hours.

The Suns finished with the NBA's best record last season and not all that long ago had the West's best record. Yet Phoenix has shockingly lost five straight games – four of those by at least nine points. All-Star and leading scorer Devin Booker (27.4 points per game) has missed the past two with a left hamstring issue and is questionable tonight, which is an upgrade.

Center and 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton was limited to 15 minutes in Tuesday's 14-point loss to the tanking Houston Rockets with an ankle injury. The big man never retuned in the second half. Ayton is also questionable. Backup point guard Cameron Payne – who started when Chris Paul was out – will not play after suffering a right foot sprain in Tuesday's matchup with the Rockets. He's averaging 12.7 points and 5.3 assists.

Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Suns are 35-14 (.714) in games following a loss, the best winning percentage in such games in the NBA during that span. Of course, that hasn't helped much during this current skid.

The Clippers won their third in a row Wednesday, a 99-88 effort over visiting Minnesota. Paul George had 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his first triple-double since joining the Clippers before the 2019 season. Kawhi Leonard had 19 points and eight rebounds, but I'd be shocked if he plays tonight because the Clippers don't allow Leonard to play both ends of a back-to-back with his injury history.

John Wall didn't play on Wednesday for load management reasons but should be good to go. Center Ivica Zubac is doubtful after leaving Wednesday after 17 minutes due to left knee discomfort. He's criminally underrated, averaging 10.1 points on 61.7% shooting and 10.8 rebounds. Key reserve Norman Powell (14.8 points per game) hasn't played since late November and won't tonight.

Phoenix won the first meeting of this season on Dec. 23, 112-95 in Los Angeles, led by Booker's 35 points. Leonard didn't play in that game. 

• Picks: NFL | NBA | CFB | CBB
• DFS: Lineup Optimizer | Picks
• Early Edge: YouTube | Apple Podcasts
• Newsletters: SportsLine Daily | Fantasy

Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.