Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker reacts after colliding with Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley in the second half during game two of the Western Conference Finals for the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
RIP Hamilton wore a mask just as much as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises so it makes perfect sense for him to offer advice to Devin Booker on playing with one.
Devin Booker briefly left Game 2 vs. the Clippers to get some stitches on his nose after he collided with Patrick Beverley’s head. Now, the Suns’ superstar will play with a protective mask in the hopes he won’t re-injure his nose the rest of the postseason.
Booker, ever a student of the game, sought advice from RIP Hamilton who is famous for wearing a mask after repeatedly breaking his nose during his career. When you think of Hamilton, you probably remember the masked man running around screens during his prime with the Detroit Pistons.
Hamilton is the best person to offer advice to Booker when it comes to playing with a mask and all the little nuances, like breathing and vision and dealing with any issues of the mask fogging up. When you’re running around and getting all sweaty, it’s going to be a different and new situation Booker hasn’t dealt with prior.
It’s best to go into the game with an idea of what to expect.
RIP Hamilton gave advice to Devin Booker on playing with a mask
How did Devin Booker break his nose?
Well, he didn’t actually break his nose despite what many people think happened. He did receive a couple of stitches to close the wound and stop the bleeding. It was an injury that looked worse on live TV than what actually happened. But that’s easy for me to say because I wasn’t the one sprawled out on the court with blood squirting from my nose.
Booker had a 40-point triple-double in Game 1 when the Suns took an early series lead they hope never to relinquish. After coming down a bit in Game 2, Booker looks to rebound in Game 3 with the return of point guard Chris Paul who has been out all series due to the league’s health and safety.
You can watch Suns vs. Clippers on ESPN.