Phoenix Suns Devin Booker had to leave Game 2 against the Pelicans because he hurt his hamstring. He is likely to miss more games.
After a Game 1 thrashing of the Pelicans, the Suns were on a high, but things have since taken a turn for the worse.
With a win in Game 2, New Orleans evened the series, while Phoenix lost Devin Booker to injury.
Before departing the game with a strained hamstring, the guard scored 31 points in 25 minutes. While the prognosis isn’t dire, it’s still far from ideal.
Devin Booker’s injury update: The Suns’ star is expected to miss a few games
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Booker’s hamstring strain is “believed to be light.” “It is unlikely he will be able to play in Games 3 and 4,” ESPN’s NBA insider added.
The Suns confirmed that he had a minor ailment, but they didn’t say when he would be back.
If his absence is explained by Wojnarowski’s reporting, he may return before the end of the series. The fifth game is set for Tuesday, April 28, giving Booker a week to recover.
ClutchPoints reports that Phoenix is 8-6 this season without Booker in the lineup. When he’s on the field, they’re 56-12.
Last year, in his first postseason appearance, Booker averaged 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He had 25 points, four rebounds, and eight assists in Game 1. In Game 2, he was on fire from long range, making 7 of 11 three-point tries.
The Suns will need to find a way to keep New Orleans at bay on their home court until Booker returns. As a result, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges, among others, will be under pressure as a result.
The Pelicans will host Game 3 on Friday, April 22 in New Orleans, their first home playoff game since losing to the Warriors in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals in 2018.
