After a hamstring injury had limited Devin Booker’s effectiveness and availability over the last ten days, the Phoenix Suns’ superstar led a critical comeback win over New Orleans.
After twice falling behind the New Orleans Pelicans in the last ten days without making a comeback, heading into halftime down 17 was not a good sign for the Phoenix Suns. Whatever was or was not said at halftime for the Suns was the right elixir as Phoenix came from behind to beat the Pelicans, as Devin Booker put the team on his back.
Booker was the only Phoenix player to show in the first half
The Suns started shooting hot, scoring eight early points to take a quick lead. However, New Orleans slowly chipped into that lead and built one of their own, with Phoenix trailing by seven at the end of the first quarter.
Devin Booker had his stroke early but was the only Suns player to find any range, with 22 in the first 24 minutes. Unfortunately, CJ McCollum matched Booker shot for shot, going off for 24 in the first half. While the two guards were canceling each other out, Zion Williamson proved the more effective weapon than the rest of the Suns combined as Phoenix went into the breakdown by 17.
Booker puts Suns on his back and battles the team back in the second half
Booker and McCollum were going at it as the second half got underway, hitting threes early in the third quarter. Then something happened: Booker hit another three, then a two, another two, and just kept scoring, while McCollum never scored again.
As for Booker, he kept making two’s and had a 20-point third quarter, followed by a 16 points fourth quarter. Booker went off for 58 points, a new Footprint Center Arena Record, and the Suns needed it. Not one other Phoenix player scored 20 points, and Zion kept scoring for New Orleans to keep the game close down the stretch, but his 30 points were not enough in the Phoenix’s 118-114 win.