PHX Reporter

Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker was benched during game 4 after suffering a pulled hamstring last week. 

Booker missed his second straight playoff game after a right hamstring strain, as the top-seeded Suns continued on into Sunday’s game 4 with a 2-1 series lead in the wake of Friday’s 114-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, according to AZ Central.

"We needed him," Suns wing Mikal Bridges said. "Obviously, Book out, (Deandre Ayton) came out and he dominated, man. That’s what he does and I’m happy for him."

Booker suffered the injury during the third quarter of last Tuesday’s game 2 loss in Phoenix – an injury that has required consistent rehab. Booker was not cleared for play and was benched for the 103-118 loss against the Pelicans, according to AZ Central. 

“It’s hard because I probably wouldn’t have an answer had we not gone through it last year, but we did when he didn’t have Chris [Paul],” Suns coach Monty Williams said, as reported by AZ Central. “You could see the different adjustments that teams will make because of that. It’s harder to say what New Orleans is going to do, and sometimes, you can overthink it, but when Book’s not out there, we play a little bit differently.”

The Suns have succeeded without Booker in the past, going 5-2 when he missed seven games with a left hamstring strain and 3-1 when he was out due to the league’s health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19, AZ Central reported. 

"He [Booker] can create on his own a lot," Bridges said. "Other guys, we create, too, but it's a little bit more point-5 because it’s easy for him to create his own shot than it is for us. Just relying on each other and just trusting each other."

Sunday’s game tied the series with two wins for each team. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday.