Devin Booker, the star guard of the Phoenix Suns, put on a spectacular performance Monday night at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, scoring 52 points to lead his team to a crucial 124-111 victory over the Pelicans. Booker's offensive outburst not only helped the Suns keep pace in the race for a top-six playoff seed but also earned him a spot in the NBA record books alongside the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.
With this latest 52-point performance, Booker became only the second player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in three consecutive games against a single opponent. Chamberlain, one of the most dominant players in league history, is the only other player to have achieved this remarkable feat.
Suns head coach Frank Vogel was effusive in his praise of Booker's performance, saying, "Something about playing in this building against this opponent. He just really has a comfort zone here, and I know there's all kinds of stats about what has or hasn't been done, but to see a guy go for 50 (points), three straight times against a single opponent in the same building, it just shows what kind of special player he is, it's really unbelievable."
Booker's offensive display was a masterclass in efficiency and versatility. He connected on a career-high seven three-pointers in the regular season, surpassing his previous best of six, which he had accomplished 26 times before. His ability to score from all areas of the court left the Pelicans' defense scrambling to find an answer.
Teammate Kevin Durant, who witnessed Booker's 52-point performance against the Pelicans in January, was equally impressed. "It's like déjà vu. As it is happening, I couldn't believe he was doing it again, you look up, and he already has 20 points in the first quarter," Durant said. "What I loved about it was the flow of the game, pin downs, catch and shoot, one dribble pullup, layups. That's a sign of a worldly scorer when you can do it in an offense like that."
For Booker, playing in New Orleans holds a special significance. Growing up in nearby Moss Point, Mississippi, the Smoothie King Center was the first NBA arena he ever visited. With more than 40 friends and family members in attendance, Booker felt right at home. "I don't really have an answer. I feel like I'm playing the same way. The crib is close. I have a lot of family in attendance. I grew up coming here. This is the first NBA arena I've been to...feels like home," Booker said.
The Suns' victory over the Pelicans not only pulled them within one game of New Orleans in the standings but also secured the season series tiebreaker between the two teams. With both clubs fighting to avoid the play-in tournament, every win is crucial. The Pelicans currently hold the sixth seed with a 45-30 record, while the Suns sit just behind them at 44-31.
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Suns face a challenging schedule, with the league's toughest remaining slate of games. However, coach Vogel believes that Monday's win could provide the momentum needed to finish the season strong. "Our challenge now is to string together two in a row of those types of performance and then three in a row and keep it going rather than being inconsistent, which we've been at times this year," Vogel said.
With Booker playing at an elite level and the team showing signs of cohesion, the Phoenix Suns are poised to make a strong push for a favorable playoff position. As they prepare for their upcoming four-game homestand, the Suns will look to build upon the momentum generated by Booker's historic performance and solidify their spot among the Western Conference's top contenders.
