PHOENIX SUNS

When you know you know; Devin Booker calls 50-point outing midgame

Mar 27, 2019, 9:33 PM | Updated: Mar 28, 2019, 9:21 am
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)...
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Usually calling out a 50-point performance in the middle of a basketball game follows with laughter and a “just kidding.”

But when Devin Booker says he’s dropping 50, he’s dropping 50.

Not only did the guard get off to a hot start Wednesday night against the Washington Wizards, dropping 30 points in just 18 minutes, Booker knew it was going to be a 50-point kind of night.

That’s what you call confidence.

“You just feel it sometimes,” Booker said after setting a new career high in points scored at home. “Another saying I say is real hoopers know, you just know sometimes when you’re in rhythm. 30 in the first half.

“I was telling my brother, my brother sits there on the baseline, so I went up there to tell him. I didn’t expect anybody to see … At least I got it … I’m glad I got it. I would have looked bad if I didn’t.”

It’s been a solid string of games for the Sun.

In his last three games, Booker has scored 141 points, averaging 47 points over that span.

“Devin Booker is Devin Booker,” head coach Igor Kokoskov said after the game. “As a coach, as someone who cares about him, I’m happy for his numbers. That’s what he does. We know that.”

Prior to his 50 spot Wednesday night, Booker caught fire in Utah on Monday, dropping 59 points — 32 in the second half — in the losing effort.

With his 32-point second half against the Jazz and his 30-point effort Wednesday, Booker became just the third player in the last 15 seasons with back-to-back 30-point halves, per ESPN.

But that’s not all.

The guard also became the youngest player in NBA history with consecutive 50-point games.

Something Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Shaquille O’Neal never accomplished over the course of their careers. Active player LeBron James has also never dropped back-to-back 50-point games, as only three of the top 10 all-time leading scorers have ever put up two straight games of 50.

The guard was efficient too as Booker shot 65.5 percent from the field (33.3 percent from 3-point range). He also made 9 of his 10 free throw attempts.

“It’s just hoop, man, just trying to go out there and win,” Booker said. “Just put the work in and get to display it while I’m out there.”

He didn’t just score either as Booker added 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.

But while Booker had a night to remember, the Suns couldn’t take home the win, falling to the Wizards, 124-121.

Washington Wizards forward Bobby Portis (5) drives between Phoenix Suns forwards Richaun Holmes (21) and Dragan Bender (35) to get off a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gets a shot off and is fouled by Washington Wizards forward Jeff Green, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Jamal Crawford (11) gets a shot off over Washington Wizards forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards forward Jeff Green, right, jumps to block the shot of Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) celebrates his dunk against the Washington Wizards with guard Jamal Crawford (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards forward Troy Brown Jr. (6) rips down a rebound away from Phoenix Suns forward Richaun Holmes during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots a 3-pointer next to Phoenix Suns guard De'Anthony Melton (14) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. The Wizards won 124-121. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) dunks over Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (13) as Wizards forward Troy Brown Jr., right, watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. The Wizards won 124-121. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards forward Bobby Portis dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. The Wizards defeated the Suns 124-121. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards guard Tomas Satoransky, left, is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard De'Anthony Melton, front right, as Suns center Deandre Ayton, back right, watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. The Wizards won 124-121. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. The Wizards won 124-121. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards guard Tomas Satoransky, left, is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. The Wizards defeated the Suns 124-121. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Washington Wizards guard Tomas Satoransky (31) is fouled by Phoenix Suns Devin Booker, left, as Wizards' Thomas Bryant, back, watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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