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Report: Suns' Devin Booker to miss 2-3 weeks with Grade 1 hamstring strain

The Phoenix Suns have gotten some not great news about Devin Booker. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the hamstring strain Booker suffered in Game 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans is a Grade 1 strain, and will keep him off the court for 2-3 weeks.

Booker sustained the strain in the third quarter of Tuesday's 125-114 loss to the Pelicans. With about five minutes left, he immediately left the game after jumping to block a dunk.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Booker would miss Games 3 and 4 against the Pelicans and had no timetable for his return. Having a timetable is certainly better than not having one, but 2-3 weeks is far from ideal for the Suns. The series against the Pelicans will go at least three more games and possibly more, and if they win that without him, they Booker-less Suns will have to face either the Dallas Mavericks or the New Orleans Jazz in the next round. The Mavs-Jazz series, just like the Suns-Pels series, is currently tied 1-1.

The Suns had a 64-18 record in the regular season, the best in the NBA. Booker, the team's homegrown star, averaged a career-high 26.8 points in 68 games during the regular season, plus 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. The Suns have been the clear favorite with bettors to win their first-ever NBA championship, but Booker's prolonged absence might change that a bit.

Hamstring issues have been a recurring theme over the last year or so of Booker's career. He had two last year, one during the regular season and one during the playoffs, which cost him four total games. The strain Booker suffered on Tuesday is actually his second of the current season. He had one in November that cost him seven games.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19:  Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns will reportedly miss 2-3 weeks of the playoffs with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)