Suns’ Devin Booker now set to be out for 2-3 weeks with hamstring injury
With the series tied at 1-1, the Suns have been dealt a major blow as they head to Game 3 in New Orleans.
The Suns had initial hopes that it would be one or two games that their star would miss, but the latest reports seem to confirm that it will in fact be much longer.
Suns’ Devin Booker left the court and didn’t return in loss to Pelicans
Tuesday night seemed to be another session at the office for the Suns’ star Devin Booker. With 31 points on the board in 25 minutes, the guard even had time to give a baby sat court side a fist bump. Indeed, with his No. 1 seeded Phoenix Suns leading against the the No. 8 seeded New Orleans Pelicans, everything seemed to be right in the world, as the Suns were basically on their way to a 2-0 series lead. Then came the sinister plot twist.
In the third quarter with 4:45 left on the clock, Booker asked the for a timeout immediately following a moment when he jumped to challenge Jaxson Hayes’ transition dunk. The Suns’ guard who appeared to have strained his right hamstring, was then promptly escorted to the locker room from which he did not return. In the end Phoenix lost 125-114, leaving the series tied at 1-1
How long will the Suns be without Devin Booker?
According to reports, Booker suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain during Game 2. What does that mean for the Suns and their star player? Booker will now reportedly have to sit out the next two to three weeks. With that said, Pelicans head coach Willie Green, who was a member of the Suns’ staff just last season, when Booker returned earlier from a similar injury in the NBA Finals, has already warned his players to expect him back sooner rather than later according to reports.
Where the Suns themselves are concerned head coach Monty Williams was definitely not in panic mode when he spoke after the game saying, ”We’ve played without Chris (Paul) and Book before. If we have to play without Book, next man up. We’ve done that all year long.”
Has Devin Booker had hamstring problems before?
Sadly, the answer is yes. Hamstring issues have definitely been the bane of Booker’s last two seasons in the NBA. Back in November, he strained his left hamstring on a play that was quite similar to the one which occurred on Tuesday and as a result was forced to miss seven games. Then of course there was the unfortunate moment during last year’s NBA Finals, which occurred in Game 3. Incidentally, he concealed the injury at the time and continued to play through it. There was also the 2020-21 regular season, during which he strained his left hamstring, which led to a four game absence.
How do the Suns cope without Devin Booker?
With the series now moving to New Orleans, it could be said pressure is on. True the Suns will still be considered favorites, but they are without home court advantage and their talisman. Some will point to the fact that in the 11 games they have played without Booker this season, they have an 8-3 record. On the other hand the No. 1 seeded Suns will know all too well that the post season is a completely different ball game. Will Booker return sooner than reports claim? Will the Pelicans take advantage of their home court? Valid questions, but the one question on everyone’s mind will certainly be how will the Suns produce offensively without their top scorer?