The Phoenix Suns upgraded shooting guard Devin Booker from out to questionable in Game 6 against the New Orleans Pelicans, but despite a right hamstring injury, a couple of sources indicate that Booker play tonight.
The #1 Suns hold a 3-2 lead over the #8 Pelicans and have a chance to close out the first-round series. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are facing an elimination game in New Orleans on their home court.
Booker suffered a hamstring injury in Game 2. After his initial diagnosis, the Suns expected Booker to miss two to three weeks with the injury, or the remainder of the first round.
Booker has been working out at the Suns’ swanky practice facility for the past couple of days in hopes he could return earlier.
The Pelicans opened as +2.5 home dogs in Game 6, but the line moved to +3.5 after the Suns upgraded Booker to questionable with all signs that he’ll play despite the injury.
The Suns are +350 odds to win the 2022 NBA championship. You can back the Suns at +160 odds to win the Western Conference for the second season in a row.
The Pelicans are +750 odds to pull off an insane upset and win the series. The Suns are the favorite at -1400 odds to knock the Pelicans out and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Iron Man Bridges
Booker averaged 26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game this season. He’s the leading scorer for the Suns and finished the season ranked #8 overall in scoring. He also shot a career-best 38.3% from3-point range. In two postseason games, Booker averages 28 points, 4.5 assists, and three rebounds per game. He’s shooting a blistering 56.8% from 3-point range.
Booker played just 25 minutes of Game 2 and scored 31 points before he left the game early with a strained hamstring. Prior to the injury, Booker was on fire, shooting 12-for-19 from the floor, including 7-for-11 from 3-point range.
Without Booker in the starting lineup this series, the Suns went 2-1. Deandre Ayton led the Suns in scoring in Game 3 and Game 4 while Mikal Bridges led the team with 31 points in Tuesday’s victory.
“Bridges is Iron Man and he doesn’t miss games,” said Chris Paul. “He guards the best players every night and then he drops 31.”
Bridges, best-known for his defensive prowess, was one of the three finalists for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. Bridges had one of the best overall games of his short four-year career with the Suns during an inspiring performance in Game 5. He logged 47 minutes in a 15-point victory to put the Suns ahead 3-2 in the series.
Check out more of OG’s coverage of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.