Devin Booker did it again.
When the visiting Phoenix Suns star crossed the 50-point mark in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday (PHL), he made sure to look behind their bench.
He scored a season-high 52 points to help Phoenix beat New Orleans, 123-109.
It was the second time Booker dropped at least 50 against New Orleans. On December 17, 2022, he scored 58.
He had 50 reasons to do so.
"I got 50 folks out there and I'm about to go see them," he told the media. "That's where my main motivation comes."
Booker attended high school in Moss Point, Mississippi, some 90 minutes away. His father and his grandfather came to watch.
"My family is here. They drive over every time I play here. They've been watching me grow up since a kid, supporting me all the way," he said. "They've been watching me grow up."
Devin Booker had "50 folks" come see him play as Moss Point, Miss, where he played high school ball, is 90 minutes from New Orleans.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 20, 2024
"They watched me grow up."
Booker looked up at his dad and grandpa after reaching 50 points.
Finished with season-high 52.
"Keep going." #Suns pic.twitter.com/n19MSiZMdc
Booker's 52 against the Pelicans made him the sixth player in NBA history to record consecutive 50-point games against a single opponent, along with James Harden, Adrian Dantley, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Devin Booker came out in ATTACK MODE, scoring 25 PTS in the 1Q on way to 52 PTS for the game and securing the Suns W 🔥🎯 pic.twitter.com/GwwQsFAcWD
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2024
Kevin Durant racked up 26 points for the Suns, while Jusuf Nurkic was a beast for the boards—finishing with 15 rebounds.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 24 points, followed up by Brandon Ingram’s 17 and Jonas Valanciunas’ 16 markers.
The Suns improved to 23-18, while the Pelicans dropped to 25-18.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
