Devin Booker FaceTimed Chris Paul after Game 1 victory vs. Clippers

After defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals and dropping his first career triple-double, Devin Booker celebrated by FaceTiming teammate Chris Paul.

Paul remains in health and safety protocols, with Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reporting that the point guard had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Following the 120-114 win, Booker took his video call with him to the Suns’ locker room so the whole team could bask in glory of the Game 1 victory, even if Paul wasn’t at the arena physically.

Every teammate counts. 

📱@CP3 on the line with the fellas after the win. More to do, more to come. pic.twitter.com/DoRuBvK89k

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 20, 2021

“Yeah we put [Paul] on FaceTime,” Booker said postgame. “He’s our leader, we lean on him for a lot. And we know how disappointed he is and frustrated he is that he couldn’t be out here for Game 1 in the Western Conference Finals, especially knowing his past history around this time.”

Booker added that Paul was in the team postgame huddle via the video call and was proud of his team’s performance.

Head coach Monty Williams said that the Suns usually FaceTime their players when they are unable to be with the team.

“We want to make sure they’re part of the locker room and anything that we do. [Paul] was excited, for sure.” Williams said.

Wingman Jae Crowder also added that Paul held up one finger to remind his team that this was just one win in the series.

“It was one game. We did what we supposed to do,” Crowder said via Zoom. “We held it down and we made plays on both ends of the court, [Paul] was just very excited. He had a smile on his face. He’s eager to get back, obviously everyone knows what type of player he is.”

The Suns got a spectacular performance from Booker as he dropped 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the Game 1 victory.

Center Deandre Ayton also came up big in Game 1 as he scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the team took a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.