Phoenix (AFP) – Devin Booker joined a very special club on Wednesday.
The Suns scored 38 points, exceeded 10,000 points for life, and Phoenix beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-97, to cut a two-game losing streak and share the lead in the NBA.
At 25 years and 60 days old, Booker is the seventh youngest player in history to surpass 10,000 units in the NBA. The others are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“It means a lot,” Booker said. “I am really grateful to be in this position. I acknowledge the work of my coach to trust the young man and allow him to make mistakes, because not everyone gets that opportunity.”
The Suns bounced back from their home loss to Golden State and Memphis. They met the Warriors in first place in the league, going 27-7.
Booker 12 made of 24 shots from the field. He made six out of 12 triples.
Gavel McGee and Cameron Payne scored 16 points each. McGee also scored eight rebounds, while Payne led Phoenix on seven assists.
Cam Johnson finished with 12 points, while Jalen Smith scored 11 points and scored 14 rebounds.
Both teams lacked key players and coaches.
Suns players Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder as well as strategist Monty Williams missed their second game in a row.
The Thunder played without point guard Shay Gilgeos Alexander with a right ankle injury. Freshmen Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Josh Gedi were already on coronavirus protocol, and coach Mark Denyault missed his second game in a row.
Oklahoma City trailed by 10 points after the first half, but recovered and advanced in the fourth quarter. The Suns beat Thunder 30-16 in the fourth quarter, as Poker set the tone with nine figures.
“We knew it was going to be against a hungry team, with guys who were just excited to have a chance,” said Kevin Young, who replaced Williams as coach. “What we love about Book is that it is a fierce competitor and is not afraid of anything.”
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