The NBA world was left in awe after Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker dropped a big game in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Turns out, Kevin Durant was among those left with their jaws on the floor because of his teammate’s monster performance.
In that particular game, Booker exploded for 52 points by hitting 67 percent of his field goals, 50 percent from beyond the arc, and 85 percent from the free throw line. He also made three rebounds and nine assists to lead the Suns to a 124-111 victory over the Pelicans.
For his part, Durant added 20 points and seven rebounds as the Suns’ starting forward. Jusuf Nurkic also had a big game when he posted a double-double of 19 points and 19 rebounds against a team NOLA coach Willie Green described as having a soft mentality against Phoenix.
Much like his dominant performance against the Pelicans recently, Booker was also in his bag the previous game these two teams met. In that contest last January, the Suns’ All-Star shooting guard also posted 52 points against a Zion Williamson-led Pelicans team. That game ended with a 123-109 win for the Suns.
Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant Reacts to Devin Booker’s Big Game Against New Orleans Pelicans
After the game, Durant spoke to reporters and shared his thoughts on Booker’s big game. In a pair of videos shared by Duane Rankin on X:
“It was like deja vu.”
Kevin Durant on Devin Booker 52-point game in #Suns win over #Pelicans to mark 3rd straight 50-point game vs. New Orleans with last two in NOLA.
1st quarter pts in the three games:
12-17-22 in PHX: 12 pts.
1-19-24 in NOLA: 25 pts
4-1-24 in NOLA: 24 pts. pic.twitter.com/Y4agQe3bfE— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 2, 2024
“Not like that. I don’t think I’ve scored that many points in the 1st quarter.”
Kevin Durant on Devin Booker, who at one point in 1st quarter had 24 points to Pelicans 22.
Durant career-high for points in 1st is 20 vs. T-Wolves 4-4-2010 with OKC. https://t.co/lVzPOKgq0G. #Suns pic.twitter.com/qZYr2Wj94M
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 2, 2024
The win helped Phoenix get some distance from the eighth-seeded Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference. At this point in time, the Suns have a record of 44 wins and 31 losses.
With only a few games left in the regular season, the Suns will have to count on Booker to deliver on the offensive end of the court. If he does, expect Phoenix to go deep in the postseason.
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