NBA Injury Report: Will Devin Booker Play in Game 3 Against New Orleans Pelicans?

Devin Booker is one of the great young talents in this league. He was instrumental in the Phoenix Suns having the best record in the western conference. The Phoenix Suns are currently facing the New Orleans Pelicans in the playoffs.

Booker has elevated his game, especially since his veteran teammate Chris Paul was injured for stretches of the season. Booker has averaged almost 27 PTS 5 RBD and 5 AST this season. He is shooting 45% from the field and 35% from the three-point line.

He is a blooming talent for the Phoenix Suns He is the only player since Kobe Bryant to score 70 PTS. The valley city was looking to make quick work of the New Orleans Pelicans. However, now that they have lost their best offensive player, this series promises to be challenging and extended.

Devin Booker is listed as doubtful

Booker sustained a hamstring strain at some point during game 2 of the first round in Phoenix. While it is unclear when he exactly felt the strain, it seems to have occurred during a hard landing following an attempted chase-down on Jaxon Hayes. Booker seemed fine at the moment. However, he was soon taken out of the game.

The right hamstring strain is believed to be mild and Devin Booker isn’t being ruled out of this opening-round series vs. New Orleans, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/mFr2XIr25s

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2022

Losing him at a crucial juncture led to the Phoenix Suns losing game 2. The series between the Suns and Pelicans is now even at 1-1. Additionally, the Pelicans will have a home-court advantage for games 3 and 4. Additionally, losing their star player and homecourt advantage proved detrimental to the Suns who now have to win at least one of the next two games without Booker.

Hamstring tightness is not a very serious injury in itself. However, the recovery process is tricky and the player takes a while to get back into form. We saw James Harden fall off to a significant extent this year after his hamstring injury in last season’s playoffs.

Therefore, the Phoenix Suns need to be careful and rest Booker. This team came off a trip to the finals last year and needs their superstars in peak shape, especially towards the end. The Suns must be prepared to face the Pelicans without Devin Booker.