Phoenix Suns: 3 Takeaways in Thrilling Win over New Orleans Pelicans

Phoenix Suns Takeaways: Never Count Out Devin Booker

Phoenix’s unfathomable job protecting the rock during this contest drew so much attention, almost nobody cared to look at Devin Booker, who put together a hideous shooting performance early on. This occurred mainly due to his infatuation with the 3-point shot, but inability to cash in on it.

Booker started 1-7 from deep, collectively going 3-15 from the field as Phoenix’s offense failed to find any rhythm behind him. But even when the Suns started chipping away and making their run on the scoreboard, Booker still failed to partake, with Monty Williams keeping him benched during most of the fourth.

It looked to go down into the game log as simply a “bad game” for him, but with a few minutes to play and the Pelicans still hanging around, Williams gave Booker the nod, who then proved his coach’s trust well warranted.

After taking the floor, Booker immediately began impacting the game at the defensive end, at one point rejecting a shot down low that juiced up the crowd. Shortly after, he found his range, connecting on two attempts from deep. He then finished off a breakaway dunk, putting the Suns up double digits and icing the game.

When it comes to Booker, his talents make him far too valuable to bench even during the ugliest of starts. Tonight made it easy to forget that undeniable truth, but he still came through all the same.