The Phoenix Suns experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in Game 2 vs the New Orleans Pelicans last night.
Pushing his team out to a 61-56 lead at the half, Devin Booker looked like a human flamethrower, unable to be stopped, and certain to lead his team to a 2-0 victory. However, neither Booker nor that second consecutive victory could be seen once the final buzzer blared tonight, as the Suns fell to the Pelicans 125-114.
After chasing down New Orleans big man Jaxson Hayes on the fast break during the third quarter, Booker turned around looking hurt and frustrated. He checked out for Landry Shamet at the 4:35 minute mark.
https://twitter.com/BALLYSPORTSAZ/status/1516633416304889860?s=20&t=w6jArg2FKi15SQZAl2FnLw
As play resumed out of a timeout, Booker went back to the Phoenix locker room, and then returned in his warmup gear looking displeased according to PHNX Sports’ Gerald Bourguet. It was then reported that Booker would not return to the game due to “hamstring tightness.”
Suns' Devin Booker has right hamstring tightness and is out for remainder of Game 2 vs. Pelicans.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 20, 2022
Although Suns head coach Monty Williams did note that Phoenix would learn more after the game, it was reported that this injury for Booker dealt with his right hamstring, rather than the left one which he injured in early December this season. That injury forced Booker to miss seven games in total across two weeks.
With it being the playoffs, Phoenix will likely try to find out all they can as soon as possible, but when Booker did last injure his hamstring, the Suns waited until the next day to conduct their tests on it. The same timeline appears to be on the table per Monty’s comments postgame, so Wednesday afternoon should be the very latest Suns fans will need to wait to hear official news on Book’s injury.
"We'll get more information, we'll have a better update tomorrow." - Monty Williams on Devin Booker's hamstring
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) April 20, 2022
Edited
On Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced that it is unlikely Booker will be able play in Phoenix’s next two games, both of which are in New Orleans. Game 5 is scheduled for the following Tuesday, April 26th, back in Phoenix.
There's still an evaluation ongoing on MRI results of Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker's right hamstring, but it appears unlikely he will be able to play in Games 3 and 4 in New Orleans, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2022
Last year, fellow shooting guard James Harden pulled a hamstring while playing against the Milwaukee Bucks early in the second round. Although Harden did return for that series, he did so only at half speed and never looked capable of running the break. All hamstring injuries are different though, so take that with a grain of salt.
Booker finished the game with 31 points, the same amount he carried into halftime. Having shot 7-10 on triples, he came up just one three shy of his career-high for a game. Hopefully he gets his next chance to go after that mark sooner rather than later.