Suns' Devin Booker: Poor performance in playoff exit
Rotowire
Booker ended Thursday's 125-100 loss to Denver in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 12 points (4-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), one rebound, eight assists, one block and one steal over 36 minutes.
Booker needed to deliver a strong performance if the Suns wanted to have a shot at forcing a decisive Game 7, but instead, the star shooting guard responded with his worst outing of the current playoffs -- he ended the game with more field-goal attempts (13) than points scored (12). Booker ends the playoffs in a disappointing fashion, but he still averaged a robust 33.7 points per game across 11 postseason contests.
Booker posted 36 points (14-18 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, 12 assists and one steal across 40 minutes during Sunday's 129-124 win over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Booker and Kevin Durant combined for 72 of Phoenix's 129 points despite Denver's attempts to contain them. Booker registered 12 assists, which marked his highest total in the playoffs. Over four games against Denver, Booker has averaged 36.3 points, 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds.
Booker contributed 47 points (20-25 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, nine assists, one block and three steals in 42 minutes during Friday's 121-114 win over the Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Booker was on fire from the get-go, ending with a game-high 47 points on an incredible 20-of-25 shooting. It was clear from the outset that Booker was primed for a strong performance, putting the team on his back as the Suns built a sizeable halftime lead. Despite the Nuggets showing plenty of ticker down the stretch, Booker did enough to get the Suns over the line, notching their first victory of the series.
Booker posted 35 points (14-29 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six assists and five rebounds over 45 minutes during Monday's 97-87 loss to the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Booker's big night wasn't enough to lift the Suns past the Nuggets, and now Phoenix is facing a 2-0 series deficit. The 26-year-old has been on fire over Phoenix's last six postseason contests, averaging 37.0 points, 7.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers and 1.7 steals during that stretch while shooting 57.8 percent from the field. He could be thrust into an even greater playmaking role in Friday's Game 3 if the groin injury that forced Chris Paul out during Game 2 sidelines the veteran point guard as the series shifts to Phoenix.
Booker finished Saturday's 125-107 loss to Denver in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 27 points (10-19 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal across 40 minutes.
Booker once again led the Suns in playing time, and he's averaging 42.7 minutes per game across Phoenix's six playoff contests thus far. His high usage is yielding 35.5 points, 6.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game on 59.1 percent shooting. The Suns need more of it, and Booker appears up to the task.
