Devin Booker told his brother sitting courtside at halftime he'd score 50, then he did it
PHOENIX — Devin Booker made history in the Phoenix Suns' loss Thursday -- and he called his shot while doing so.
Booker became the first Suns player to put up consecutive 50-point games, but Thomas Bryant's 3-point play with 2.8 seconds left gave the Washington Wizards a 124-121 victory at Talking Stick Resort Arena to complete a series sweep of the Suns.
The shorthanded Suns (17-59) have now lost five games in a row, but Booker is putting on an offensive show. Coming off a 59-point eruption in Monday's loss at Utah, Booker became one of only 10 players to have consecutive 50-point games.
The other nine?
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Michael Jordan
- Kobe Bryant
- Allen Iverson
- James Harden
- Elgin Baylor
- Rick Barry
- Bernard King
- Antawn Jamison
"It's a blessing," said Booker, who added 10 rebounds to give him 10 double-doubles this season and became only the second Suns player to go for 50 points and at least 10 boards in a game.
Amar'e Stoudemire went for 50 and 11 on January 2, 2005.
CLICK & ROLL: Exclusive NBA commentary delivered to your inbox
"I say it every day, it's a honor to lace it up and play the sport that I love," Booker continued. "Every time that I'm out there, I'm trying to find out ways to get better and find out ways to get wins for this team. I think right now, it's time for me to be more aggressive ... being down a couple of men, but teammates helped me out. Set good screens."
Booker predicted the 50-point game, too.
"You just feel it sometimes," Booker said. "Another saying I say is real hoopers know. You just know sometimes you're in rhythm."
The camera caught Booker telling his brother sitting courtside during the first half he would reach the half-century mark.
"Wow," said Booker when learning Fox Sports Arizona captured that brotherly moment. "At least I got it. I just said it to him and I turned around. I'm glad i got it. It would've looked bad if I didn't."
Booker had 30 points at the half with the score tied at 59-59.
"It was such in the flow and you know when you're in those kind of grooves," said Crawford, who has three career 50-point games. "
Going 19-of-29 from the field, Booker went 3-of-9 from 3 and a perfect 9-of-9 from the line. At age 22, Booker became the youngest NBA player to post back-to-back 50-point games.
"That's amazing, that's amazing," Daniels said. "That's impressive. Trust me, that's impressive. Really impressive."