Rookie Devin Booker acquits himself well in Phoenix Suns’ Vegas Summer League opener

The Phoenix Suns relied on their experienced trio of T.J. Warren, Alex Len and Archie Goodwin in their 2015 Las Vegas Summer League opener — an 86-77 win over the Washington Wizards Saturday afternoon.

The three combined for 59 points on 50 percent (21-of-42) shooting.

Somewhat overlooked by the veterans’ performance was the debut of first-round pick Devin Booker, whom the Suns drafted with the 13th overall pick last month out of Kentucky.

Booker came off the bench, played 26 minutes and contributed 12 points and four rebounds to the effort.

Even though these games don’t count, Booker admitted to having some butterflies in his first pro game.

“There is, until you get out there and realize you’re playing the same game you’ve been playing your whole life,” he said. “There was nerves there at the beginning though.”

Booker went 4-of-11 from the floor, but missed on all four of his three-point attempts.

“My three-pointer wasn’t falling, you know, what I’m known for. I was missing a lot of them short,” the rookie said. “You know (Sunday) I’ll knock those same shots down.”

Despite the lack of three-point scoring, Booker impressed Suns Summer League head coach Nate Bjorkgren.

“I thought he was great,” Bjorkgren said. “I thought Devin did a really good job of running the floor. He’s a guy that can stretch the floor.

“And he’s understanding the defense, too. He got out there and he defended tonight.”

Booker knows his calling card is shooting — an ingredient the Suns sorely missed during a disappointing 2014-15 season. But he also realizes he’ll need to do a lot more than shoot if he wants to make an immediate and lasting impression in the NBA.

“If you’re just one-dimensional in this league, you won’t be able to make it,” he said. “You’ve got to do a bunch of different things.”

Booker and the rest of the Suns take on the Houston Rockets Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas at Thomas and Mack Center. Tip-off is at 1:30 p.m.