Devin Booker erupts in fourth quarter in win over Dallas
Oct 17, 2018, 10:54 PM | Updated: Oct 18, 2018, 12:52 am
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, in Phoenix. The Suns won 121-100. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker took over the final quarter against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
After scoring 16 points through three quarters, the guard stepped it up in a big way in the fourth, scoring 19 points and adding two assists to close out a 121-100 win.
His first points of the quarter would come with 6:44 remaining in the game, with the Mavericks down just four points.
But that’s as close as Dallas would get as it was all Booker the rest of the way.
Devin Booker is SMOOTH! 😮#TimeToRise #KiaTipOff18 pic.twitter.com/Zv984kckbN
— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2018
“I caught a rhythm, man,” Booker said after the game. “It’s that time of the game where we let them back in and we should put them away, so I felt it was my job to make the plays and win the game.”
He was just getting started from long range as he was able to create space off the Deandre Ayton screen for yet another trey.
Booker has 16 points in the last 3:53 — all the #Suns scoring in that span. pic.twitter.com/p2xFl4BzjS
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) October 18, 2018
Booker made all five of his field goals in the fourth quarter, including four three-pointers, with his last deep ball putting an exclamation mark on the evening.
ARIZONA LOVES YOU DBOOK! pic.twitter.com/Uuw9d7X7oh
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 18, 2018
“That’s part of my job being one of the leaders of this team, to carry the team to victory and I feel like I did a pretty good job of that tonight,” Booker said after the game.
He capped off the night finding Ayton for his second assist of the quarter and seventh of the game.
.@DeandreAyton‘s first regular season @NBA game.
18PTS,10REB,6AST,1STL,1BLK pic.twitter.com/1WN0ddblOO
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 18, 2018
“He’s our anchor, he’s the guy. I’m not surprised at all,” head coach Igor Kokoskov said of Booker after the game. “That’s who he is. we just want him to be healthy, just to be himself and just to keep working hard.
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“He’s a young guy who can improve and get better in every part of his game. Impressive performance. he played really well and carried the team offensively.”
Booker didn’t play the entire quarter, either. He entered the game with 8:44 left to go.
In 33 minutes, the guard netted 35 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
“It was a team effort tonight, but a really big win for us on opening night,” Booker said of his team’s play.
Efficiency was key for Booker as he shot 12-of-19 from the field, 6-of-10 from long range and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
With Booker’s performance, the Suns took home their first win on opening night since 2014.
