An MRI on Booker’s foot is concerning, but caution must take priority

Devin Booker’s return from injury may take some time, but we must remain patient as the long NBA season progresses.

• By
  
  Dave King
  
• on October 27, 2023 10:44 am

Can you believe that game on December 17 last year? Devin Booker dropped an astonishing 58 points, with an incredible 36 in the second half alone, leading the Phoenix Suns to a comeback win against the Zion Williamson-led New Orleans Pelicans. They were down by 24 points in the third quarter!

“I think the only person who could have stopped him from scoring tonight was me, by taking him out of the game,” joked head coach Monty Williams after the game.

That night, Booker played for 42 out of 48 minutes, securing those 58 points to seal the remarkable comeback victory. This came just after his return from a 2-game absence due to tightness in his left hamstring. In his previous game against the Los Angeles Clippers, he scored 14 points in 34 minutes, and then exploded for that unforgettable 58-point performance against the Pelicans.

Booker was riding high, establishing himself as a top-10 scorer in the league and a potential MVP candidate. With an impressive 28.8 points scoring average and a 19-8 record, despite missing the services of two starters, Chris Paul and Cameron Johnson, for most of the time, that 58-point game was the icing on the cake for Booker.

But the very next day, it all came crashing down.

Booker woke up with groin soreness, which later turned into a strain when he attempted to return for the Christmas game against the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, we didn’t see Booker back in action for the next two months.

“I probably played him too many minutes,” head coach Monty Williams confessed after the discovery. However, it was not Williams’ fault. Booker regularly plays over 40 minutes per game without indicating a need for rest. And as a good coach, Williams did the right thing by not removing his hottest player during a comeback. Booker’s body simply did not cooperate.

Booker has had lingering hamstring and groin issues for several years now, with occasional one- or two-week absences. However, last year marked the first time he missed such a significant amount of time, sitting out for 29 games. Before that, he hadn’t missed more than 14 games in a season since his early years in the league.

Today, Booker is scheduled for an MRI to assess a sore foot he experienced at the end of another dominant performance. In that game, he demonstrated that when he’s focused and in control, he is virtually unstoppable. This season, the plan is for Booker to be on top of his game.

But now, this foot issue brings concern. While we await the results of the MRI, we must handle this situation with extreme caution. Rushing Booker back into action would be unwise, considering the 80 regular-season games remaining before the playoffs. If we factor in potential postseason games, the total number of games could surpass 110. The priority should be his long-term health.

We will find out the MRI results either later today or tomorrow.

Regardless of the outcome, there is no reason to rush Booker’s return. Pushing him too soon could worsen his condition or lead to additional injuries due to compensating. Let’s recall what happened just a year ago when tightness in his hamstring led to a strained groin and an extended absence.

We must handle this situation properly by giving Booker the time he needs to recover.

Furthermore, we should investigate whether the new Book 1s, which were advertised as street/court crossover shoes, are suitable for on-court use. Perhaps Booker needs customized modifications for himself and other NBA players who may want to wear them. It’s worth noting that superstars like Steph Curry and LeBron James don’t simply wear off-the-shelf versions of their shoes; they have custom-made designs specifically tailored to their needs. Perhaps Booker needs a few more iterations to get it right.

Alternatively, the shoe itself may not be the issue. It could be due to Booker playing at full speed for an entire game after a five-month hiatus.

Regardless, a foot sprain is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Book. Don’t rush back early just for the sake of qualifying for All-NBA or MVP. Your health is the top priority.

The true reward lies in achieving a championship in June.

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