Suns update: Devin Booker (hamstring) out second straight game Tuesday at Rockets
HOUSTON — All-Star Devin Booker will miss a second straight with left hamstring tightness as the Phoenix Suns (16-11) face the Rockets (8-18) on Tuesday in Houston.
Booker didn’t play in Phoenix’s overtime loss Sunday at New Orleans.
“We just felt like it’s the best thing to do right now,” said Suns coach Monty Williams before Sunday’s game.
With a history of hamstring issues, Booker played through the injury in Friday’s setback at New Orleans.
"I didn't see the normal Book look."
Monty Williams on Devin Booker (hamstring), who will sit Sunday's game at #Pelicans.
Will start Dario Saric.
"Dario hasn't had a fair shot." #Suns https://t.co/FDZG8fCrjk pic.twitter.com/o2W4OZ33qO— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 11, 2022
He finished with 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting and seven assists, but Williams took Booker out of the game with 1:50 remaining and Phoenix down eight.
“I didn’t see that normal Book look and I pulled him,” Williams said.
Booker attended his No. 2 jersey retirement ceremony at Moss Point (Miss.) High as he and the team made the 90-minute drive from New Orleans for the event and drove back the same day.
Then he didn't play in the Sunday afternoon game. Dario Saric started in his place to give the Suns more size to defend Zion Williamson, but the Pelican All-Star still scored 35 points for a second straight game against Phoenix.
Daric finished with five points on 2-of-8 shooting and three rebounds.
The Suns look to end a season-long four-game skid, but face a Houston team that beat them, 122-121, in Phoenix earlier this month.
That snapped a season-long, six-game win streak for the Suns, who are 1-5 in their last six games.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns update: Devin Booker (hamstring) remains out Tuesday at Rockets