Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov is leaning toward not playing star shooting guard Devin Booker on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings, according to Gina Mizell of The Athletic. Booker played only 12 minutes on Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets, exiting the game with back spasms after tallying seven points and three assists in the tilt.

The Suns have lost six straight games and long ago were the days when they pounded out a season-best four-game win streak to give the fans something to cheer about. The Suns sport the worst record in the West at 9-32 and are only a half-game away from the worst in the league.

Booker's barrage of 11 straight games scoring 20 or more points was cut short with his back injury on Sunday, and after missing practice on Monday, Kokoskov is looking to play it safe with his franchise star.

If the fourth-year phenom misses the game, expect Josh Jackson and Kelly Oubre to see extended action. Also expect T.J. Warren to take the lead scoring role against a Kings team that has been bombing away from deep. Recently, the Kings made history in a loss to the Golden State Warriors by combining for the most made three-pointers (41) in an NBA game.

Booker has missed 10 of the Suns' 41 games this season, a worrisome sign after they committed a five-year, $158 million contract extension to him earlier this summer.