The NBA Playoffs continue on Saturday evening live on Sky Sports as the Philadelphia 76ers face the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 live on Sky Sports Action, followed by Dallas @ Utah at 9.30pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix
Saturday 23 April 2022 07:16, UK
Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker looks set to miss at least a fortnight after suffering a right hamstring injury in Game 2 of his team's first-round series with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Booker sustained the injury in Tuesday's Game 2, which the Suns lost 125-114 to even the series 1-1 and ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports on Thursday that the guard could miss two-to-three weeks with a Grade 1 strain, which is the mildest kind.
The Suns had earlier announced "there is no timetable for his return" on Wednesday and he was listed on the injury report as being out "indefinitely" Booker.
Game 3 of the series is Friday and Game 4 is Sunday with both taking place in New Orleans.
Booker was spectacular in the first half on Tuesday, finishing with 31 points (12-for-19 shooting) before suffering his injury and leaving the game in the third quarter.
On the possession before he departed, Booker jumped to contest a fastbreak dunk by New Orleans' Jaxson Hayes, but it was not immediately clear he was hurt. The Suns trailed 77-74 with 4 minutes, 35 seconds left in the quarter when he departed.
Landry Shamet, who did not play in Game 1 of the series, subbed in for Booker and finished with five points on 2-for-3 shooting in 11 minutes.
Booker returned at the beginning of the fourth quarter wearing warmups and never re-entered the game. He missed multiple games earlier in the season with a hamstring injury.
After the game, there was not much of an update on how long Booker would be out as he needed an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. Suns guard Chris Paul said the injury was no excuse for the Game 2 loss.
"We've got guys that are more than capable of stepping up," Paul said. "Book was killing. He was having a big-time game, but it is what it is."
Booker, who will secure some MVP votes this season, was instrumental in top-seeded Phoenix's 110-99 Game 1 victory, scoring 25 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists.
This is Booker's second career playoff appearance after helping guide the Suns reach the Finals last season - the franchise's first since 1993. Overall, he is averaging 28 points, three rebounds and 4.5 assists in the playoffs after posting 26.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 4.8 apg during the regular season.
"If we have to play without Book, next man up and we've done that all year long," coach Monty Williams said after the game, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
The rush of live NBA Playoffs games continues on Sky Sports this week - see the list of games here and subscribe to watch the live action.
