Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker was in a bit of a shooting slump over the last couple of games, but he ended it in a big way in Monday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Booker poured in 52 points and nine assists on 19-of-28 shooting with a career-high eight three-pointers to lead the Suns to a 124-111 road win over the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. It's his third straight 50-point game against New Orleans, joining the legendary Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to record three consecutive 50-point games against a single opponent.
It was clear that it was going to be a special night for Booker from the jump. He scored 37 points in the first half alone, 24 of which came in the first quarter. He scored just 31 combined points on 34.6 percent shooting in his previous two games.
The win was much-needed for Phoenix, which now sits one game behind New Orleans for the sixth spot in the tightly-contested playoff race in the Western Conference. Kevin Durant added 20 points and Jusuf Nurkic notched 19 points and 19 rebounds. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting.
However, the night belonged to Booker, and fans on social media were left in awe by his performance on Monday night:
whyman @CrossoverAceBOOKER 3 IS BACK <a href="">
LEEZUS @AndrewLeezusDevin Booker tonight: <br><br>52 points <br>9 assists <br>3 rebounds <br>1 block <br>8 threes made <br>83.7 TS% <br><br>Best SG in the world. We're in April now, this is when he reaches another level. <br><br>Stay locked in Book 🙏🧘♂️ <a href="">
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_LopezDevin Booker joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to have three consecutive 50-point games against a single opponent per <a href="">@ESPNStatsInfo</a> research. <br><br>Book had 58 against Pels on 12/17/22 and 52 against them on 1/19/24. <br><br>He's got 50 with 2:00 to go in the game.
NBA @NBADEVIN BOOKER HAS 52.<br><br>Absolute TAKEOVER on NBA TV.<br><br>📲 <a href=""> <a href="">
Booker Muse @DevinBookerMuseMost 50-point games by a Sun:<br><br>8 — Devin Booker<br>6 — Everyone else in franchise history combined <a href="">
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguetIt happened. He's finally done it.<br><br>Devin Booker has made a career-high SEVEN 3-pointers in a regular-season game. <a href="">
Phoenix Suns @SunsDEVIN BOOKER ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW 🤯 <a href="">
Mike Vigil @protectedpickA reminder that Devin Booker has more 40+ point games in New Orleans than Brandon Ingram.
whyman @CrossoverAceDevin Booker when it's time to play the Pelicans <a href="">
R ⚜️🏂💕 @Pels4LDevin Booker once he steps foot into the Blender <a href="">
𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢☆ @Stunna999_DEVIN BOOKER H1M <a href="">
The Suns were expected to be one of the top contenders in the West, but injuries and inconsistency made things difficult for them this season. Fighting its way out of the play-in tournament is not what Phoenix had hoped for, but the team is hoping to find a groove as the regular season winds down.
Booker's big night is a step in the right direction, as the Suns will need him to be at his best if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
Phoenix will try to keep the momentum going when it hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
