By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Superstar shooting guard Devin Booker stole the limelight during the Phoenix Suns’ 118-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans after tallying a new season-high 58 points last December 18, 2022.
Booker was just unconscious from the shooting field and sank 21 of his 35 total attempts including six drained shots from downtown and 10 from the free throw line.
The Team USA men’s national basketball team guard also rebounded the ball six times and recorded five assists in the win.
Booker’s high-level scoring effort not only steered the Suns to a win but also spearheaded their massive comeback after trailing by 24 points at the start of the third quarter.
New Orleans was bound for another dominant win just like their past two meetings against the Suns when they took an 83-59 lead midway through the third period.
However, Booker and the Suns unleashed a momentum-clinching 25-6 run that put them back in the ball game, trimming New Orleans’ lead to just five points, 89-84.
Booker was Phoenix’s money man during that offensive surge and dropped 20 big points that changed the complexion of the whole game.
It was then all Phoenix in the last 12 minutes of the game after outscoring New Orleans, 35-24, with Chris Paul closing out the game with his signature mid-range jump shots.
The savvy veteran guard finished the ball game with 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and one steal that halted Phoenix’s losing streak before winning against the Los Angeles Clippers two days ago.
Meanwhile, New Orleans was leading from the get-go but failed to contain Phoenix’s offensive surge led by Booker.
The Pelicans were led by Zion Williamson who dropped another 30-point piece backstopped by CJ McCollum who chipped in 27 points, eight assists, and two rebounds.
