Pelicans at Suns
Phoenix star guard Devin Booker will be out of the lineup when the Suns host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Booker sprained his left ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Utah Jazz and will likely miss the rest of the season.
Booker ranks eighth in the NBA with a 26.6 scoring average and he recently enjoyed a three-game splurge in which he scored 59, 50 and 48 points. "It is hard to replace a franchise (player)," Phoenix coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters. "It is hard to replace 'Book' because he is a special player and special player for our team." The Pelicans will likely have their best player on the floor as All-Star big man Anthony Davis (back) is expected to return after missing four contests. New Orleans has dropped 11 of its last 13 games after suffering a 115-109 loss to the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (32-47): Power forward Julius Randle continued his late-season surge with 34 points and 11 rebounds against Charlotte and he has reached the 30-point mark 10 times this season. Eight of the efforts have come since Davis made his trade request that wasn't honored, which prompted New Orleans to reduce Davis' minutes and clear the way for Randle to be a main scoring threat. Center Jahlil Okafor received a large increase of playing time due to the Davis situation and he is averaging 11.7 points on 16-of-20 shooting over the past three games.
ABOUT THE SUNS (18-61): Booker is the latest casualty for the Suns, who are already without forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. (thumb), T.J. Warren (ankle), guard Tyler Johnson (ankle) and center Deandre Ayton (knee). Phoenix went out down easily 118-97 to the Jazz after losing Booker in the first quarter and the club has lost seven of its last eight games. Forward Richaun Holmes had 16 points and nine rebounds against Utah and is averaging 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over the past two games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Suns halted an eight-game losing streak against the Pelicans by posting a 138-136 overtime win on March 16 in New Orleans.
2. Pelicans PG Elfrid Payton is averaging 5.0 points over the past two games and was just 1-of-8 shooting against Charlotte.
3. Phoenix backup G Jimmer Fredette scored 10 points against Utah and will likely see increased minutes with Booker sidelined.