Devin Booker season-best 52 points Suns win

Devin Booker scores 52 points in 37 minutes, leading the Suns to a victory over the Pelicans. New Orleans misses 32 3-pointers.

Devin Booker had an outstanding game on Friday night, scoring a season-high 52 points in just 37 minutes on the court. This marked his second consecutive 50-point game against the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Phoenix Suns securing a 123-109 victory, extending their winning streak to four games.

The last time Booker faced the Pelicans in Phoenix on December 17, 2022, he scored 58 points in a victory. This time, he was on fire, making 18 of 30 field goals, 6 of 11 three-pointers, and 10 free throws without a miss. Booker has now reached 50 points six times in his career, with a career-high of 70 points against the Boston Celtics on March 24, 2017.

Kevin Durant also contributed 26 points, and Jusuf Nurkic grabbed 15 rebounds for the Suns, who shot 49.5 percent from the field. They held a commanding lead of 30 points in the second half, making it difficult for the Pelicans to keep up.

Zion Williamson scored 24 points for the Pelicans, but the team struggled with their shooting, missing 32 of 42 three-point attempts. This was a stark contrast to their previous game, where they made a franchise-record 25 three-pointers in a blowout victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

The game was highly anticipated, with both teams seen as rising contenders in the Western Conference. The crowd was energized from the start, but Booker's exceptional performance quickly shifted the momentum in favor of the Suns.

Booker's impressive display included nine of his first 11 shots, with a variety of pull-ups, turnarounds, fades, floaters, and three-pointers. By the end of the first quarter, he had already scored 25 points, while the Pelicans struggled to find their rhythm, missing 17 of their first 19 three-point attempts.

Although the Pelicans managed to trim the deficit to 17 points by halftime, Booker continued his dominant performance in the second half, scoring 20 points in the third quarter. This extended the Suns' lead to 100-80 heading into the final period, sealing their victory.

Overall, it was an impressive display of skill and dominance by the Phoenix Suns, led by Devin Booker's remarkable 52-point performance. The Pelicans, despite their efforts, were unable to keep up with the Suns' offensive firepower, resulting in a well-deserved victory for Phoenix.