Devin Booker scores season-high 46, takes over in Suns’ win over 76ers
Dec 4, 2017, 8:03 PM | Updated: Dec 5, 2017, 5:10 pm
Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) goes up for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21), Jerryd Bayless (0) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, in Philadelphia. Phoenix won 115-101. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
At one point late in the first quarter of Monday night’s game in Philadelphia, Devin Booker was shooting 2-of-11 from the field.
The Suns were somehow up 21-19 but would need a better contribution from Booker the rest of the way to get a win over the 76ers.
His contribution was indeed better, to say the least.
After that slow start, Booker made 15 of his last 21 shots to finish with 46 points in the Suns’ 115-101 win over the Sixers. He scored 32 points in the second half.
By all accounts, it was the best win of the season for the Suns, as they controlled the lead throughout. They were threatened the most when the Sixers cut the lead down to five with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Suns continued to make shots and answer back.
Booker was doing what he does best by scoring in a bevy of ways, even with the occasional double from the opposition.
Too early to name the Dunk of the Game? Booker’s dunk is a pretty good nominee. #SunsAtSixers pic.twitter.com/bgOYjazdgZ
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 5, 2017
While the Sixers would get it close in the fourth, Booker decided he’d had enough with his team up 11 and a little over three minutes remaining.
He hit a ridiculous contested 3-pointer over J.J. Redick to make it a 14-point advantage and put himself up to 39.
Devin Booker is a star, no question about it.
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/6QDyIlpOnH
— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) December 5, 2017
He followed that up with a steal and dunk to get over 40, and then an even more outrageous shot from over 30 feet to make it 44.
Devin Booker. Gets Buckets. pic.twitter.com/aDP17zTaSQ
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) December 5, 2017
To put the cherry on top, Booker sent Nik Stauskas left and right before hitting the step-back jumper to end his total at 46.
Goodness. Booker put a bow on his 46-point performance with breakdown on Stauskas: pic.twitter.com/FeMjHp0SX0
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 5, 2017
Booker didn’t do it alone.
T.J. Warren had 25 points and Tyler Ulis added 12 points and 12 assists. The two kept the offense afloat while Booker struggled in the first quarter and helped add more to the offense when he got going.
The standout performer outside of Booker, though, was Tyson Chandler. The 35-year-old had a throwback performance defensively guarding Joel Embiid.
While Embiid finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, Chandler made him work on both ends and frustrated the young superstar at times. He had seven points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
The win put the Suns at 9-16 on the season. They move on to Toronto, where they will take on the Raptors Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
