Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns isn’t interested in delving too deeply into the analysis of his historic hot streak.
Booker extended his incredible playoff run by scoring 36 points, matching teammate Kevin Durant’s total, and shooting 14-of-18 from the field in Phoenix’s series-evening 129-124 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 at Footprint Center on Sunday night.
“I’m just trying to win, man,” Booker said. “I always say, and I’ll tell KD this, “Throw that efficiency s—- out the window.” That is irrelevant to me. Simply keep going, attacking, and being aggressive.”
However, Booker’s efficiency has been astounding throughout the playoffs, particularly in the last two games.
However, Booker’s efficiency has been remarkable throughout the playoffs, particularly in the last two games of the Western Conference semifinal series.
Booker has now scored 331 points in nine playoff games this season, the most by any player since Michael Jordan in 1990.
Booker accomplished this with a 70% true shooting percentage, the highest ever by a player who scored at least 300 points in nine playoff games.
Since 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 pair of victories, hitting at a clip (76.9%) that ranks as the best over two playoff games in the decade that Second Spectrum has done player tracking among a group of more than 900 players who attempted at least 25 jumpers.
“I know the spots where I’m supposed to be aggressive and where I’m supposed to make ’em pay,” said Booker, who also 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 set their defense and set their double-team. I don’t usually get open shots. So this is a new thing with having KD’s gravity on the floor.”
Durant delivered his best performance of the series Sunday, scoring 36 points on 11-of-19 shooting, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out six assists.
“I know where I’m supposed to be aggressive and where I’m supposed to make ’em pay,” said Booker, who also had 12 assists in the win on Sunday. “I mentioned transition and just trying to get out and play fast so they can’t set their defense and double-team. I’m not used to getting open shots. So having KD’s gravity on the floor is a new thing.”
On Sunday, Durant had his best game of the series, scoring 36 points on 11-of-19 shooting, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out six assists.
It was the first time that two teammates had at least 35 points, five rebounds, and five assists in consecutive regular-season or playoff games.
And Durant believes that the best is yet to come for a team that has only played 17 games together, nine of which have been in the playoffs.
“To be honest, we’re still learning each other, learning what works for both of us and what works for our team,” Durant said. “But, at its core, it’s all about playing ball, getting to your spots, and being aggressive. I believe we both do. Book is always at ease in any position on the floor, and I feel the same way. The more reps we get, the better we will become.”
Booker has already had six 35-point games in the playoffs, the most ever by a Phoenix player in a postseason. His last two have come while assuming significant facilitating duties for Chris Paul, who is out with a strained left groin.
It’s not just the numbers, as impressive as they are, that Booker is producing. He frequently makes game-changing shots, such as the pair of 3-pointers he made in the final minute of the third quarter to extend the Suns’ lead to six points, despite Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic’s brilliance, who scored 18 of his career-high 53 points in the frame.
“He looks for those moments where he can not only make those shots, but send a message to his team that he can carry us,” Suns coach Monty Williams said of Booker.
Guard Landry Shamet contributed 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including five three-pointers, for the Suns. He took advantage of the Denver defence’s focus on the Suns’ stars, hitting open shots when the ball swung to the backside.
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When the Suns made the blockbuster mid-season trade to pair Durant and Booker, the front office expected this type of explosive offence. Injuries limited Durant to only eight regular-season games following the trade, so Phoenix is still figuring things out on the fly, with Williams’ rotation varying greatly from game to game. However, optimism about the superstar duo’s potential grows.
“I wouldn’t call it a ceiling,” Booker said. “I don’t try to put myself in a box.”
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