Devin Booker

2022 - 12 - 17

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Devin Booker's 58 points powers huge Suns' comeback vs. Pelicans (ESPN)

Devin Booker scored a season-high 58 points to help bring the Suns back from a 24-point deficit in the second half and beat the Pelicans on Saturday night.

"I've had the opportunity to play with a lot of greats -- Williamson had a solid game, shooting 12 of 15 from the field, but it was completely overshadowed by Booker's performance. Booker scored a stunning 25 points in a row for the Suns before Okogie's two free throws, making just about everything he tossed toward the rim as the home crowd roared. "You got to give respect when it is due," Williamson said. Booker scored 20 points in the third, willing his team back into contention. Booker prides himself as a team player and a willing passer, but on Saturday night, he realized he had the hot hand. This effort was even more impressive because it brought the Suns back from a 24-point deficit. Paul finished with 18 points and eight assists. "It is not enjoyable." "We couldn't throw it in the ocean if we had been on a boat," Williams said. The three-time All-Star made 21 of 35 shots, including 6 of 12 3-pointers. "I don't enjoy watching somebody score 58 points on us," Pelicans guard C.J.

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Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

Devin Booker scores 58 as Suns erase 24-point deficit to beat ... (The Athletic)

Booker scored 58 points Saturday night to carry the Suns out of a 24-point hole versus the Pelicans.

Booker’s 58-point explosion was the most an opponent has ever scored against New Orleans in franchise history and another great chapter in the growing rivalry between the Suns and the Pelicans. Booker clearly wanted to send a message after sitting out the last time these two teams played. [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/)’s most exciting rivalries.

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Image courtesy of "Arizona Sports"

Hop on: Devin Booker carries Phoenix Suns past Pelicans with 58 (Arizona Sports)

The Phoenix Suns were heading for another rough loss until Devin Booker caught fire in the second half to end up with 58 points.

Saturday’s 1-of-6 shooting night made it 19-of-56 (33.9%) for him in his last nine games and his shooting percentages on the season are right around last year’s, the worst season of his career. Paul was the Suns’ next-highest scorer at 18 points, and that was largely thanks to a 5-of-7 night from 3. That’s what I live by and I was put in the right situations to make the right plays.” Zion Williamson isolated quickly on the next possession and turned it over, his second in the last four minutes. Williams emphasized confidence to his bunch at halftime and credited Booker for helping the team find some. And boy, was Saturday the right night for him in a 118-114 Phoenix win over the Pelicans.

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Image courtesy of "AZCentral.com"

Devin Booker scores 58 and turns the mundane into magic (AZCentral.com)

Devin Booker scored 58 points Saturday night and reminded us, and the Suns, why games in December matter.

We wanted to come out and set the tone.” “A potential matchup for the playoffs and we understand that. “I’m going to have to hear about that for a long time. Part of the beauty of sports is that the script of a game is really just an outline. Booker and Williams knew the significance of not letting the Pelicans win Saturday, which would have given them the season series against the Suns. The Cardinals are in a freefall. Diana Taurasi of the Mercury and Chris Paul of the Suns are in the twilights of their careers. It don’t really count, and at the end of the day, my team and I, we’re working on our damn selves. He drove to the basket. At a young age, he seemed to know those “struggle years” would make nights like Saturday at Footprint Center sweeter. People might have stayed with the Suns, but Booker stayed, too, and believed. The points record?

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Image courtesy of "Bright Side of the Sun"

Stephen's Study: Devin Booker Sparks an All-Impressive Suns ... (Bright Side of the Sun)

Devin Booker's second 50+ point performance of the season came at the right time, as the Phoenix Suns would knot their season series with the New Orleans ...

From there, it’d be a moment of “wait and see” as the Pelicans were forced to tip their hand on what they wanted to do with Booker. Remains to be seen, but this wrinkle could be an unlocking of yet another short-roll option for the Suns to compile, presenting Williams with optionality based on match-ups. Josh Okogie was yet again a key cog in the Sun's winning efforts. Another display of how this rendition of the Suns can win in a multitude of ways. Doesn’t always have to be “pretty” but also doesn’t always have to be “back-and-forth” for them. The Pelicans threw a lot of the kitchen sink at him in terms of coverages: Switches, switch-and-overs, as well as switches-and-doubles. Also, when he’s in that zone, few teams are better than the Suns. The Suns saw themselves down 24, which then prompted a late third-quarter 25-6 run, via a display of shot-making from him that was absolutely absurd. When he’s in that zone, there are few players better than him. He is not just an offensive talent, he’s a two-way factor. It was an all-impressive floor game from Devin Booker. We really saw a ton of his evolution in play.

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