Devin Booker, the star player of the Phoenix Suns, was taken off the court on Tuesday after an apparent hamstring injury. The team eventually lost the game against New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 125-114.

Booker was running to deflect the ball away from the basket when he leaped high. Even though he landed on his feet and continued to walk, the was evidently in pain. The incident happened in the third quarter of the game, before which Booker was on a roll.

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The injury has cast doubt on the survival of Pheonix Suns in the ongoing Playoffs. While the series is currently tied at 1-1, the Suns’ momentum may decrease in the remaining games against New Orleans Pelicans.

He returned at the beginning of the fourth quarter wearing warmups and never re-entered the game. The All-Star player had already added 31 points to Phoenix Suns’ tally, in addition to one assist and two rebounds. 

Booker’s departure from the came at a crucial moment in the second Playoff game, when Phoenix Suns trailed 77-74. It was at the onset of a highly competitive and nail-biting fourth quarter.

Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns’ guard who had 17 points and 14 assists on Tuesday, reacted to Booker’s injury. “We have got guys that are more than capable of stepping up”, he said.

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“Book was killing. He was having a big-time game, but it is what it is”, Chris Paul added after the game, according to reports from Associated Press.

Phoenix kept the game close without its leading scorer and even took a lead early in the fourth, but the Pelicans rallied, getting big 3s from Jose Alvarado, CJ McCollum and Ingram to take advantage they would not relinquish. McCollum finished with 23 points.