5:47 p.m. ET
Adrian Wojnarowski
Conclude
Experienced NBA insider- Host of the Woj Pod
- With ESPN since 2017
Brian Windhorst
Conclude
ESPN Senior Writer- ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010
- Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years
- Author of two books
Experienced NBA insider
ESPN Senior WriterNEW ORLEANS — Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will return for his team’s sixth game against the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday night after missing the last three games with a strained right hamstring, Suns coach Monty Williams said.
Booker was officially upgraded to questionable just before the game and was scheduled to test the leg in the pre-game warm-up before being given the OK. Williams said he’s been developing well in recent days as the Suns took a 3-2 lead.
“It’s difficult to emulate an NBA game 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 a few times. And he’s doing his best to get to that point.”
Williams was asked if the Suns would be monitoring Booker’s minutes tonight, and he just smiled and said, “Yes,” adding that Booker’s return gives the Suns “roster balance.”
“It helps sort out the order of the team a bit, relatively speaking,” Williams said. “He won’t play his normal workload of 36, 38, 40, but it still gives you a little bit more balance.”
Booker scored 25 points in the Suns’ Game 1 win and then had 31 points in the first half of Game 2 before suffering the injury and eventual loss in the third quarter.
ESPN’s Andrew Lopez contributed to this report.