Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker NBA Finals Grade: A-
He finished with 27 points, but Devin Booker certainly struggled a bit during his first NBA Finals performance. Shooting just 1-8 from 3-point range and 8-21 overall, Booker needed to find his points by secondary means during Game 1, instead earning 10 free-throw attempts, all of which he thankfully sank.
Defensively, he finished with three steals, but also turned the ball over three times himself, collectively putting together a solid, but uncharacteristically gritty outing.
Booker’s shooting headaches continued to start Game 2, but he turned them around within an instant. Although starting 1-7 from the field, Booker tore into a 7-9 run, eventually pushing his scoring total up to a game-high 31 points. Like Paul, he shot tremendously from outside, going 7-12 for the game.
Booker’s inefficiency shooting the ball during Game 1 comes as the only knock on his performance, placing his grade ever so slightly below Paul’s. However, his improved play during Game 2 argues that much better games likely lie ahead for him.