Devin Booker hit a season-high of 51 points as the Phoenix Sun defeated Chicago Bulls.
Devin Booker helped the Phoenix Suns to victory over the Chicago Bulls with a season-high 51 points in just three quarters on Wednesday night.
Booker had 25 points in the first half and had 26 more in the third quarter of the game.
MVP!” chants broke out across Footprint Arena after a 3 points went into the net, and the 26-year-old is certainly making an early-season case.
“It’s the best,” Booker said about the home crowd. “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.”
The three-time All-Star had a steal late in the third before sprinting downcourt and flushing home a dunk for his 50th and 51st points. He added six assists and four rebounds.
“A guy like that gets in a rhythm and it’s too late,” Bulls guard Zach LaVine said. “He gets it going and it’s over.”
Booker didn’t play in the fourth quarter with the Suns holding a healthy lead.
Even more remarkable than Booker’s point total was his efficiency. He shot 20-of-25 from the field, going 6-of-7 from 3-point range. He is the second player over the past 25 years with 50 points and 80% shooting through the first three quarters of a game, joining James Harden in 2017, according to stats.
“It felt like a double-sized rim out there,” Booker said. “If I rise up, it’s going in.”
Booker now has four career 25-point quarters, tied with Kobe Bryant for second most over the past 25 seasons, according to stat. Only Stephen Curry has more than Booker with eight.
“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.
