Devin Booker scores 52 points to lift the Suns over the Pelicans 124-111

NEW ORLEANS – Devin Booker scored 52 factors, the fifth-highest scoring recreation of his profession, to energy the Phoenix Suns to a 124-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday evening, bringing them inside a recreation of the Pelicans for the No. 6 playoff spot within the Western Convention.

Along with his 52-point outburst in Phoenix’s 123-109 victory over New Orleans within the Smoothie King Heart on Jan. 19, Booker scored 58 factors in opposition to New Orleans in a 118-114 dwelling win over the Pelicans on Dec. 12, 2022.

“It means an entire lot,” stated Booker, a local of Moss Level, Mississippi, positioned 110 miles from New Orleans, who had 40 relations and pals within the stands. “My household was in attendance for 2 of them. Any time you get named for one thing Wilt did – it’s occurred only a few occasions in my profession – you understand you probably did one thing particular.”

“There’s one thing about enjoying on this constructing in opposition to this opponent,” Vogel stated. “(He) simply actually has a consolation zone right here. To go for 50 three straight occasions in opposition to a single opponent … simply exhibits what sort of particular participant he’s. Thrice in a row is simply unimaginable.”

“It was like deja vu,” Durant stated. “Because it was occurring, I couldn’t imagine he was doing it once more.”

“He hit some pictures that we gave him, and he additionally hit some powerful pictures,” Inexperienced stated. “We’ve to do higher. I imply, there’s no excuse to get 50, placed on you twice (in a season). Fairly frankly, we have been delicate guarding him. We simply had a delicate mentality when it got here to being bodily with him, and he’s an ideal participant, and you may’t enable him to be snug.”

“He got here out with plenty of tempo and vitality,” Pelicans ahead Trey Murphy III stated of Booker. “He hit some powerful pictures, however I believe we contributed to it just a little as properly.”

The Suns constructed a wall round Zion Williamson on protection, and the Pelicans’ main scorer didn’t take his first shot till late within the first quarter. Williamson completed with 30 factors and 5 assists. Trey Murphy III added 21 factors for New Orleans.

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Pelicans: Host Orlando on Wednesday evening.