There is a new normal for the Phoenix Suns in Game 3—at least for Devin Booker who will be wearing a protective mask Thursday night.
To recall, the All-Star shooting guard broke his nose in Game 2 after what seemed to be a collision with L.A. Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley. Despite being hurt, Booker channeled his inner Steve Nash when he toughed it out to finish the entire game.
While the mask brings protection, there are also concerns over Booker's peripheral vision possibly being hampered which the Suns guard addressed, per ESPN's Rachel Nichols.
“All I need to see is the basket.”
This statement has Mamba Mentality written all over which won't surprise people. Booker is a disciple of the late great Kobe Bryant, whose parting message for the 6-foot-5 scorer is “be legendary.” It seems he's on the right path, though, with the way Booker has elevated his game for the Suns in the 2021 Playoffs.
For an elite bucket-getter like Devin Booker, the safe bet is he'll still get his numbers but him being less than 100%, in terms of his vision, could still pose a problem for the Suns at some point.
Booker did seek some tips from one of the best offensive artists of his time in Richard Hamilton. The former Detroit Pistons guard embraced the accessory, becoming a signature of him en route to a world championship in 2004.
Chris Paul's return from quarantine comes at a great time for the Suns whose 2-0 lead isn't enough of a cushion, especially against the L.A. Clippers.
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