Devin Booker scored a season-high 52 points in 37 minutes for the Phoenix Suns – his second straight 50 points against New Orleans on Friday night.
“I got 50 folks out there and I’m about to go see them,” said Booker, who played in high school on the Mississippi coast.
“That’s where my main motivation comes, from all my family that’s here. They drive over every time I play here and I like to put on a show for them.”
The last time Booker was in the Suns’ lineup against New Orleans he scored 58 points in a victory in Phoenix on Dec. 17, 2022. On Friday, he was 18 of 30 from the field, 6 of 11 on 3s, and made 10 free throws without a miss.
Booker became the sixth player to record consecutive 50-point games against a single opponent, joining James Harden, Adrian Dantley, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Booker reached 50 points for the sixth time in his career. He had a career-high 70 at Boston on March 24, 2017. All other players in Suns history have six 50-point games combined.
“The guy’s just got an incredible killer instinct,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “He had that look in his eyes tonight.
“It was a great team win, but Book was spectacular. He was able to torch these guys, but when the double-teams came, he shared it.”
Kevin Durant added 26 points and Jusuf Nurkic grabbed 15 rebounds for Phoenix. The Suns shot 49.5% (46 of 93) and led by 30 points in the second half.
Zion Williamson scored 24 points for the Pelicans, who didn’t shoot well enough to keep up with Booker & Co.
New Orleans missed 32 of 42 3-point shots — two nights after making a franchise-record 25 from deep in a blowout victory over Charlotte.
“They kind of knocked us on our heels early,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “Once they did, it was just hard for us to get back into a rhythm.”
