Phoenix– Phoenix Suns supper star devin booker Doesn’t want to bother digging too deep into the analysis of his historical hot streak.
Booker continues phenomenal playoff run by scoring 36 points with teammate Kevin Durantwhile going 14-of-18 from the field Phoenix wins series-evening 129-124 Above denver nuggets in Sunday night’s Game 4 at the Footprint Center.
“Man, I’m just trying to win,” Booker said. “I always say, and this is something I would tell KD, like throw that efficiency out the window. I don’t care about it. Just keep going, keep attacking, keep being aggressive.”
But Booker’s efficiency has been surprising throughout the playoffs, and especially in the last two games of the Western Conference semifinals series.
According to ESPN Stats & Information Research, Booker has now scored 331 points during the season, the most by any player through nine playoff games since Michael Jordan in 1990. Booker did so with a 70% true shooting percentage, the best ever by a player scoring at least 300 points over a span of nine playoff games.
As the Suns left Denver facing an 0–2 deficit in the series, Booker exploded for 83 points in Phoenix’s two home wins while shooting 79.1% from the floor. He made 20 of 26 jump shots in the winning pair, hitting at a clip (76.9%) that ranks as the best in two playoff games that decade, second only to the Spectrum group of over 900 players. Player tracking has been attempted between. At least 25 jumpers.
“I know the places where I need to be aggressive and where I need to make them pay,” said Booker, who had 12 assists in Sunday’s win. “I talked about transition earlier and just trying to get out and play fast so they can’t play their defense and set up their double-teams. I usually don’t get open shots. So it’s a new thing with KD’s gravity. On the floor.”
Durant had his best performance of the series on Sunday, scoring 36 points on 11-of-19 shooting, grabbing 11 rebounds and six assists.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, it marked the first time two teammates recorded at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists in consecutive games, regular season or playoffs. And Durant believes the best is yet to come for a pair that has played only 17 games together, nine of which have come during the playoffs.
Durant said, “To be honest, we’re still learning each other, learning what game works for both of us, what game works for our team as well.” “But at the core of it, it’s just about playing the ball and getting into your space and just playing aggressively. I think we both do that. Book is always comfortable in any spot on the floor, and I think That’s what I’m like. The more reps we get, the better.”
Booker already has six 35-plus-point performances in these playoffs, the most by a Phoenix player during a single postseason. adding up to his last two important assistant responsibilities chris paul Aside from a strained left groin.
Booker isn’t just making up the numbers, but they’re as remarkable as they are. He often hit momentum-changing shots, such as the pair of 3-pointers he made in the final minute of the third quarter to cut the Suns’ lead to six points despite the talent of the Nuggets center. Nikola JokicJoe scored 18 of his career-playoff-high 53 points in the frame.
Suns coach Montey Williams said of Booker, “He looks for those moments not only to make those shots but to send a message to his team that he can carry us.”
Sun also got a big lift off the bench from the guard landry shmet, who scored 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including five 3s. He consistently capitalized on the attention the Denver defense gave the Suns’ stars, hitting open shots when the ball swung back.
Phoenix’s front office anticipated such an explosive offense when the Suns made a blockbuster mid-season trade to pair Durant with Booker. Injuries limited Durant to just eight regular-season games after the trade, so Phoenix is still figuring out a lot of things on the fly, with Williams’ rotation varying greatly from game to game. But the faith in the superstar duo’s potential remains.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a ceiling,” Booker said. “I try not to put any restrictions on what we do or put any restrictions on what we do as a team. We’re going through this series with different lineups as well. So it’s very new to us.” But that excuse is out the window. It’s a regular season thing. It’s time to win the basketball game.”
