The Phoenix Suns’ task of overcoming the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2021-22 NBA playoffs became a lot harder on Wednesday. The Suns not only lost Game 2, but will also have to play their next two games against the Pelicans without their best player Devin Booker.
Booker reportedly has a hamstring strain, which he suffered in the third quarter of the 114-125 loss to New Orleans. The injury was most likely a result of his attempt to challenge the dunk of center Jaxson Hayes late in the third quarter.
The Suns believe that Booker’s injury is mild and that he will be able to return at some point in this series. However, the 25-year-old All-Star is expected to miss at least Games 3 and 4.
The No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, the Suns took care of business in Game 1 against the Pelicans and got an easy 110-99 win. It looked like it might be the same in Game 2 before New Orleans flipped the script in the second half to tie the series.
While the Suns’ are known to play complementary basketball, having Devin Booker on the sidelines will probably be a massive blow for the whole team. Booker was one of the main reasons for Phoenix’s great run in 2021-22, averaging career-highs in points (26.8), rebounds (5.0), and steals (1.1). He continued in the same fashion in the playoffs, scoring 25 points in Game 1 and following it with 31 points in the first half of Game 2.
The Suns and the Pelicans meet for Game 3 on Friday night at Smoothie King Center.
