The Phoenix Suns gave way to a rally from the New Orleans Pelicans late in Game 2, following an injury to Suns superstar guard Devin Booker, to take Game 2 in Phoenix and even their series at one game apiece.
After a red-hot first half that saw him pour in 31 points, Booker didn’t score in the third quarter and left with 4:45 left in the period as a result of what appeared to be a tweak of his right hamstring as he jumped to challenge a transition dunk from Jaxson Hayes.
Booker is expected to undergo testing and treatment on Wednesday with hopes that he can make his return in Game 3 on Friday in New Orleans. Booker has dealt with hamstring issues for the past two seasons.
“We’ll have more information tomorrow,” Suns coach Monty Williams said, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “We’ve played without Chris [Paul] and Book before. If we have to play without Book, next man up. We’ve done that all year long.”
“It is what it is, it’s part of the game,” Paul said. “He was killing, he was having a big-time game.”
While Booker’s absence hurt, the Suns can also look at the defensive side of the court where they allowed the Pelicans to shoot a red-hot 68% during the second half and gave up 16 fast-break points. Simply put; the Pelicans dominated them in the transition.
“That was the worst we’ve ever looked in transition since I’ve been here,” Williams said. “For that to happen in a playoff game is unsettling for everybody.”
