![]() But more importantly, he is doing so with elite-level efficiency. He is averaging the 7 th most points per game with 29.1, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, which ranks in the top 25 of the league (22 nd). So, let’s take a look at the numbers.ĭevin Booker has always been viewed as a full-arsenal scoring threat, but this season he has taken his offensive game to another level. But the narrative alone does not fully contextualize how impactful Booker has been this season. Yet here they are, sitting atop the Western Conference at 16-8, and that has a lot to do with the displays of offensive dominance by All-Star guard Devin Booker. And veteran wing Jae Crowder has not played a single game with the team as he continues to hold out until he is traded. Young forward Cam Johnson is expected to miss 1-2 months with a torn meniscus in his right knee that he suffered in early November against the Trailblazers. Then followed it up by winning a league-best 64 games last season.īut unlike past seasons, Phoenix has not been so lucky regarding injury luck and depth availability.Īll-Star floor general Chris Paul has missed 14 games due to a sore right heel. This is the same team that won 51 games in the regular season before representing the West in the NBA Finals two seasons ago. Since falling in anticlimactic fashion to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in last season’s Western Conference semifinals, it has been hard for many to put much stock in regular season success for the Phoenix Suns. If it wasn't ankle injuries it was some other sickness or some bullcrap that got in my way.After dropping a season-high 51 points in three-quarters in a win over the Chicago Bulls, Devin Booker seems to be finally starting to get some real MVP buzz. ![]() "I see what the people say about me," Ayton said. Like many in the Suns' locker room, Ayton was pumped up to see Booker back on the floor, but also was motivated by some outside noise about his own game. Suns big man Deandre Ayton tied a career high with 35 points and chipped in 15 rebounds. Thomas wasn't the only player putting up career numbers on Tuesday. ![]() just be proud of all the hard work you put in." "But it's just good to have my name in history, I'm just going to embrace it. Obviously I'd rather have the win because it sounds better when you have these 40-point games with the two that we lost. "I'm just glad to have my name in the history books, being this young. Thomas, 21, became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in three straight games after scoring 43 points in Tuesday's loss. Everybody's excited that he's back."īooker's return almost took a backseat to Nets second-year guard Cam Thomas' ongoing scoring roll. I thought the guys got a great deal of energy from him tonight just being on the floor. ![]() And he wants to do everything he can to win the game. "Devin's attitude is always he just wants to eat," Suns coach Monty Williams said. The team has it rolling right now, so just inserting myself in a way that wasn't disruptive and try to keep the flow that they have."īooker's return gave the Suns an emotional lift and continued to build confidence for a group that has dealt with injuries to key players throughout the season. "Just competition, being back out there with the band, feeling that energy, feeling that presence. "That's all I want right there, man," Booker said. NEW YORK - A look of relief and happiness was etched across Devin Booker's face inside the Phoenix Suns' locker room after a 116-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.Īfter missing a month and a half while rehabbing a groin injury suffered during a Christmas night loss to the Denver Nuggets, Booker returned to score 19 points in 26 minutes as the Suns won their third game in a row.
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