Devin Booker put the League on notice after he absolutely erupted for a monster 51-point win that gave Phoenix their sixth straight win on Wednesday.
D-Book scored 51 points on 80 percent shooting from the field (6-7 from downtown), four rebounds, and six assists to lead Phoenix to a 132-113 win over Chicago. Oh yeah, Booker did this in 31 minutes and didn’t even play in the fourth quarter.
🤯 51 PTS (20/25 FGM) | 6 AST | 6 3PM@DevinBook WENT OFF for 51 PTS in just 3 quarters of play! pic.twitter.com/BWd4Vs6y15
— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2022
Booker’s season-high effort drew MVP chants from the Footprint Center fans after he dropped 25 points in the first half and another 26 in the third quarter. The “MVP! MVP!” chants broke out after the three-time All-Star knocked down a highly contested triple.
“It’s the best,” Booker said about the home crowd, per ESPN. “I don’t know how many sellout crowds that is in a row, but it’s impressive. Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays, it doesn’t matter what day of the week it is. They show up and show out.”
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan was visibly frustrated as Booker embarrassed Chicago’s defense and could say “we threw everything” at Booker, including traps, a box-and-one, face guarding, but “to his credit, he had a great night.”
Booker is certainly making an early-season case for MVP candidacy while averaging 29.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 48.9/37.8/87.8 percent shooting splits. Booker became the second player in more than 25 years to put up 50 points on 80 percent shooting in three quarters after James Harden did it in 2017, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Booker now has four career 25-point quarters, tied with Kobe Bryant for second most over the last 25 seasons, per ESPN. Only two-time MVP Stephen Curry has more than Booker with eight.
“It felt like a double-sized rim out there,” Booker said. “If I rise up, it’s going in.”
Booker built this 50+ point explosion after scoring 44 against Sacramento on Monday. The Suns (15-6) now have the best record in the Western Conference after 12 of their first 13 home games.
“There’s not a level where he can’t score,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “He can use both hands, he can score with a hand in his face, and he’s willing to take the tough shots.”
It was Booker’s second straight 40-point game. He had 44 in a victory at Sacramento on Monday night. The Suns have the best record in the Western Conference at 15-6 and have won 12 out of 13 home games.
