The Phoenix Suns are in a closely-contested battle with the New Orleans Pelicans to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round series. The Suns are the best team in the league record-wise and were expected to make quick work of the Pelicans, but NOLA has fought very hard all of this Game 2.
Despite the performances from New Orleans, Devin Booker was single-handedly trying to increase the distance between the Suns and their opponents. He scored 31 points in the first half and had the momentum going. However, it has all imploded in an incredibly worrying way for the Suns in the third quarter.
Not only did the Suns get outscored by 12 points in the Q3, but they also lost Devin Booker to an injury that the camera didn’t pick up. Booker made a play to contest a Jaxson Hayes dunk but landed improperly. Next thing you know, D-Book is on his way to the locker room as Landry Shamet was brought in to replace him.
Booker went to contest that last Hayes dunk. Cameras didn't catch how he landed or if there was a limp. Monty didn't call a timeout right away.https://t.co/NO5O1hGGqy
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) April 20, 2022
Naturally, whether Booker has a serious injury or a light injury is something we will find out over the course of the fourth quarter based on whether he checks back in. If he doesn’t, the Suns could have some reasons to worry and will want him back on the team before the second round.
As for now, the Pelicans can clinch a famous victory away from home as an eighth seed. The Suns themselves have the pieces to beat New Orleans over a series without Booker, but an injury could dampen their hopes of making a championship run.
Shams Charania has confirmed that Booker has hamstring tightness and will miss the remainder of Game 2. Suns fans will be waiting with bated breath to see whether they will be losing their All-NBA First Team caliber player during the playoffs.
