Devin Booker headed to championship of NBA 2K20 tourney
Apr 11, 2020, 4:28 PM | Updated: 4:44 pm
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on in the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on December 27, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The first step toward an all Phoenix Suns NBA 2K20 players-only tournament has been completed with Devin Booker knocking off Motrezl Harrell of the Los Angeles Clippers in the semifinal matchup on Saturday afternoon.
Booker’s teammate Deandre Ayton takes on Patrick Beverly of the Los Angeles Clippers in the other semifinal matchup.
Entering as the No. 5 seed, Booker swept the best of three semifinal against Harrell, 2-0.
Taking control of the Los Angeles Clippers in game 1, Booker shot 67% from the field through the first two quarters and took a 10-point advantage into halftime.
Booker’s HUGE dog makes an appearance 🤣 #NationalPetDay #NBA2KTourney pic.twitter.com/idIfCD8bqT
— NBA 2K20 (@NBA2K) April 11, 2020
Booker extended the lead to 15 after three quarters, proceeding to ask Harrell if he wants to just “start the next one.”
The Suns’ All-Star guard kept his foot on the gas in the final six minutes of play, wrapping up a 68-54 game 1 victory.
Book dunks on Trez… with Trez 😂🔊 #NBA2KTourney pic.twitter.com/XqXCNCS0cU
— NBA 2K20 (@NBA2K) April 11, 2020
Booker’s efficiency from beyond the arch was his key to victory, draining six of 11 chances in the first half and five of 12 in the second half.
Some internet issues for Booker provided Harrell a few days to prepare for game 2 of the semifinal, which was important because he was now facing elimination from the tournament.
Booker played as the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors, while Harrell placed his hopes on the Milwaukee Bucks and 2018-2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Harrell showed up to play in game 2, only facing a three-point deficit after one quarter and coming back to tie it 31-31 at halftime.
Greek Freak doin work early for @MONSTATREZZ
How many points is Giannis scoring? 👇 pic.twitter.com/z042Wvkzwk
— NBA 2K20 (@NBA2K) April 11, 2020
Even though the game was tied, Booker still held a 55% to 48% shooting percentage over Harrell after 12 minutes of play.
Harrell and Booker both held leads in the third quarter, but Booker was able to enter the final quarter with a 54-50 lead.
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Even though Booker had the advantage, the pressure was setting in after getting called for some fouls.
“Give it to him, game,” said Booker of Harrell missing the three-point shot at the end of the quarter. “You give him everything else.”
“They ain’t giving me nothing,” Harrell responded.
Just holding a one-possession lead with around a minute left in the game, Booker turned the ball over.
As Harrell tried to take some time off the clock, Booker stole the ball right back.
“Stop playing with the rock,” Booker yelled, standing up from his chair.
Booker comes in clutch late and is headed to the finals 😤 #NBA2KTourney pic.twitter.com/lPILkEk2Mn
— NBA 2K20 (@NBA2K) April 11, 2020
Booker held on in the final seconds and took the 65-62 victory, punching his ticket to the championship against Ayton or Beverly.
Having played as the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors, Booker can now only choose between the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets in the best of three championship series.
Game 1 of the championship is set to tip off at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
