Devin Booker Injuries
Following a 10-day rest period, Devin Booker has returned to the court. He scored 28 points in a 126-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors. The star was ruled out of the last two to three weeks after straining his left abductor muscle in his groin. This is the first time the All-Star guard had missed more than nine games due to an injury.
Booker is out for Game 6
Devin Booker is doubtful for Game 6 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Phoenix leads the series 3-2 and needs a win to advance to the next round. Booker, though, has a history of injuries. In last year’s NBA Finals, he had to play through a hamstring injury and was limited to 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting in a 20-point loss. However, he then went on to score 40 points in back-to-back games in Games 4 and 5. That’s a remarkable accomplishment considering the lack of rest between Game 3 and Game 4.
Despite missing Game 5, Booker did participate in light shooting drills during a practice session. New Orleans coach Willie Green said that his team has two different defensive game plans based on Booker’s status.
He has a Grade 1 hamstring strain
During Game 2 of the New Orleans Pelicans series against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, Devin Booker strained his hamstring. Booker is expected to miss at least two weeks. His injury is considered Grade I, meaning that it won’t require surgery and won’t require a lengthy recovery time. He will likely miss the remainder of the series and possibly the playoffs.
Booker’s injury occurred during the game, while he was challenging Jaxson Hayes for a dunk. It’s unclear how serious the injury is, but the Suns have been able to play through injuries in the past. In the 2021 NBA Finals, Booker was limited to seven games because of a hidden hamstring strain. This season, the injury returned. Booker missed seven games and the Suns went 5-2 without him.
He missed seven straight games with a sore hip
After missing seven straight games due to a sore hip, Devin Booker returned to the court on Tuesday to score 32 points and hand out six assists. This was his first game back from a serious injury since the trade deadline. He also added two steals to his game.
Booker has had a rough year with health issues. Last season, he missed 13 games with a strained left tricep and a right hand contusion. This offseason, he underwent surgery on his hand. However, the injury has continued to linger. Booker has also missed games with a sore hip in his right hip.
He has a Hallmark moment
The Phoenix Suns forward is in a Hallmark moment, even if his latest injury was not the most expected. Booker strained his right hamstring during Game 2 of the playoffs. An angle not seen on national television caught the incident, and Booker appeared to know something was wrong immediately.
Booker’s injury is far from the first one that he has suffered. In 2014, he suffered a hamstring injury in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. After a couple of weeks off, Booker was able to play through the pain. He returned the following year after a 10-day layoff. In the 2019-20 season, Booker also injured his left hamstring against the Los Angeles Lakers. In all, the injury caused Booker to miss six games and ultimately missed the All-Star game and the NBA Finals.
He’s been dealing with hamstring injuries
Devin Booker has been dealing with hamstring injuries over the last few years. He first suffered a hamstring injury in the NBA Finals in 2014, but he played through it. Then, in 2021, he injured his left hamstring before halftime of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The hamstring injury resulted in a seven-game absence.
The Phoenix Suns are currently 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and they are hoping that Devin Booker will be able to play in Game 6 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Booker missed the first three games of the series with a strained hamstring. He also suffered a hamstring injury during Game 3 of last season’s NBA Finals, but played through it. However, Booker’s injury has not been publicized and he is expected to be back in the game sooner rather than later.