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    Suns Fined $25K for Not Properly Disclosing Devin Booker's Injury Designation

    Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIApril 30, 2022

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 28: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball up the court against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on April 28, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
    Chris Graythen/Getty Images

    The NBA announced that it has fined the Phoenix Suns $25,000 for a violation of injury reporting rules regarding shooting guard Devin Booker:

    NBA Communications @NBAPR

    The following was released by the NBA. <a href="https://t.co/LyCYd1yLV8">pic.twitter.com/LyCYd1yLV8</a>

    Booker suffered a Grade 1 right hamstring strain in Game 2 of the Suns' first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans.

    Per ESPN, early projections had him missing two to three weeks, but he returned nine days later for Game 6.

    The NBA said the Suns "failed" to reveal Booker's status "in an accurate and timely manner" prior to the matchup, hence the fine.

    The Suns won the series four games to two.

    As Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic noted, the Suns officially ruled Booker out with the hamstring strain within 24 hours of Game 6 starting on Thursday.

    Rankin posted an image of the 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday injury report that listed Booker as out.

    Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin

    For the curious:<br><br>It can be confusing, frustrating, entertaining or whatever word you want to use about how injuries are reported. <br><br>We've all used sources, including myself. Those interested as this relates to Devin Booker's status, check out fine print, times and report. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Suns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Suns</a> <a href="https://t.co/1iOPswnCrj">pic.twitter.com/1iOPswnCrj</a>

    The issue is with this part:

    Suns Fined $25K for Not Properly Disclosing Devin Booker's Injury Designation
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    "NBA teams must report information concerning player injuries, illnesses and rest for all NBA games. By 5 p.m. local time on the day before a game (other than the second day of a back-to-back), teams must designate a participation status and identify a specific injury, illness or potential instance of a healthy player resting for any player whose participation in the game may be affected by such injury, illness or rest."

    There was an inkling that Booker could return for Game 6 on Wednesday when ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported some hopeful news:

    Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

    ESPN Sources: Phoenix Suns All-Star G Devin Booker (hamstring strain) is progressing toward a return soon, including the possibility as soon as Game 6 or Game 7 of this playoff series vs. New Orleans. He’s expected to be initially listed as out for Thursday’s Game 6.

    Booker was ruled out, but the Suns later announced that the star shooting guard was upgraded to questionable two hours before the game.

    Ninety minutes before game time, Suns head coach Monty Williams told reporters that Booker would play.

    Booker ended up posting 13 points, five rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes to help the Suns win 115-109. They'll open their second-round series against the Dallas Mavericks at home on Monday.