17:47 ET
-
Adrian Wojnarowski
CloseSenior NBA Insider
- Host of The Woj Pod
- He joined ESPN in 2017
-
Brian Windhorst
CloseESPN senior writer
- ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010
- He covered the Cleveland Cavs for seven years
- Author of two books
NEW ORLEANS – Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will return for Game 6 of his team against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night after missing the last three games with a sprained right hamstring, said Suns coach Monty Williams.
Booker was officially upgraded to a questionable shortly before the match and was expected to test his legs in the pre-match warm-ups before receiving the OK. Williams said he has made good progress in recent days as the Suns took a 3-2 lead in the series.
“It’s hard to imitate an NBA game at this time of year,” Williams said of what led to Booker’s return. “He’s been on the floor with (Suns’ assistant coach) Jarrett Jack several times. And he’s doing his best to get to that point.”
Williams was asked if Suns would watch Booker’s minutes tonight, and he just smiled and said, “Yes,” adding that Booker’s return “balances the list.”
“It helps to sort out the order of the team, relatively speaking,” said Williams. “He won’t play his normal load of 36, 38, 40, but he still gives you a little more balance.”
Booker scored 25 points in Suns’ victory in Game 1 and then had 31 points in the first half of Game 2 before suffering an injury in the third quarter and leaving a possible loss.
ESPN’s Andrew Lopez contributed to this report.
Add Comment