Suns’ Devin Booker sets new franchise record in 1st playoff appearance
May 23, 2021, 4:13 PM | Updated: 9:48 pm
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 23: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a shot over Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game One of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
In his first playoff appearance, Devin Booker went down in the history books for setting a new franchise record.
The guard posted a total of 34 points — the most ever by a Phoenix Suns player in their postseason debut — to lead the Suns to a 99-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Along with the record-setting points, Booker totaled seven rebounds and eight assists while shooting 13-of-26 from the field.
📈 Devin Booker: most points in a playoff debut in Suns history pic.twitter.com/Pq0plRRH5x
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 23, 2021
It’s not surprising for the guard who averaged 25.6 points, 4.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game during the regular season.
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The 24-year-old stepped up throughout the matchup when veteran point guard Chris Paul went down with a shoulder contusion injury and left the court for the locker room twice.
While breaking a record is notable alongside a strong win against LA, Booker is focused on what comes next: Game 2.
“I don’t think you can make statements versus a team like this, the defending champs,” he said postgame. “They’ve been down this road before, but we just have to worry about ourselves honestly. Just come in ready to play for a full 48 minutes.”
Booker was just one point shy of matching his teammate Chris Paul’s debut record of 35 points, which he set with the Hornets in 2007 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Among all active NBA players, Luka Doncic holds the No. 1 spot for most points in a playoff debut with 42.
