Stats Prove Devin Booker Has Been Second-Most Clutch Player in NBA Since His Debut

The Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to three after beating the Dallas Mavericks again. They beat them on Saturday in a six-point win, tonight they beat them by just one-point. Devin Booker scored a game-winner, as the Suns won their 11th game of the season.

Booker is now in his sixth season in the league, and he has already established himself as a clutch player. This was his fifth career go-ahead shot in the final five seconds of the game. Only Wizards’ Russell Westbrook has made more such shots since the Suns’ star entered the league.

He started the game poorly, going 1-7 from the field in the first half. But he caught fire in the second half and scored 2-2 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, he shot 6-10 including the game-winner, as he stepped up late to deliver the win. Chris Paul led the Suns in scoring, after an inspirational performance with 32 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.

Devin Booker: Following in his idol’s footsteps

Since he has entered the league, Booker has always been vocal about his love for the late Kobe Bryant. He grew up idolizing the Lakers legend and has modeled his game based on him too. Kobe was one of the most clutch players of all-time. He has shot some of the coldest game-winners in his career for the Lakers, so it is amazing how Booker has also learned that skill as well.

Booker’s previous game winner was one of his most iconic shots. It came during the Suns’ unbeaten streak during the bubble, and the Clippers bore the brunt. Booker had the ball with just seconds left and the Suns were tied with the Clippers at 115-115. He hit a pump fake from midrange and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George fell for it.

He then turned and hit a fadeaway, which sunk in as the final buzzer rang. It was one of the best moments in the bubble, and it just reiterated Booker’s ability to perform in the big moments.

Despite a few hiccups, he is now doing his best alongside CP3, to break the Suns’ barren playoff streak. They are currently the seventh seed and will hope to hold on to it and enter the playoffs for the first time since 2010.