Underneath a pivotal Game 5 victory last night, the Phoenix Suns got an even more important win—this one coming from within the team’s health and training facility rather than on the basketball court.
While Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges worked to keep the Suns afloat against the gritty New Orleans Pelicans, Devin Booker made sure to get his body right. During Phoenix’s Game 2 loss vs the Pelicans, he suffered a hamstring injury that felt like a Mike Tyson-like gut punch likely for him, and surely everyone watching.
But amidst hype, while the Suns stormed through the fourth quarter to take last night’s game by a 112-97 final score, the star guard reportedly popped up and shouted “I’m back.”
Booker just walked off the court saying “I’m back”!!! Saw it with my own eyes!!
— Jordan Simone (@JordanSimone38) April 27, 2022
When Booker first went down, he received a 2-3 week timeline, making this declaration somewhat surprising. Fans did not want to get ahead of themselves by any means and instead felt happy with the win on the floor.
But earlier today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski gave everyone the green light. According to his sources, Booker might return as soon as tomorrow night, and if not, potentially during the following game if New Orleans were to force a Game 7.
ESPN Sources: Phoenix Suns All-Star G Devin Booker (hamstring strain) is progressing toward a return soon, including the possibility as soon as Game 6 or Game 7 of this playoff series vs. New Orleans. He’s expected to be initially listed as out for Thursday’s Game 6.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2022
Truth be told, whether or not Booker returns tomorrow evening does not matter. Although the Pelicans have made the Suns bleed a few times this series, nobody expects Phoenix to actually lose out and end their record-breaking season early.
What matters is that Booker is close to returning—close to getting this team fully reloaded before facing a more challenging opponent.
Either the Dallas Mavericks or Utah Jazz will threaten Phoenix next—two teams with far more wins and star power than the Pels. The same goes for the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, both of whom look primed to move onto the next round within the coming days.
If Phoenix faced those teams without Booker, things might go south fast. Any vulnerability on display vs a team like New Orleans would likely prove fatal against any of those squads.
But with Booker aboard, we know what this team is capable of. The Suns own a 9-4 record against those teams this year with Book playing. Needless to say, Phoenix’s biggest gun is back, just in time too, as the barbarians are about to come knocking.