Going into last night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Devin Booker was in a horrific shooting slump. In his last 12 games before yesterday’s, Booker made just 39.8% of his shots from the field and a measly 21.2% from three, all while averaging nearly three points per game less than his season average.
He hasn’t had a game where he’s played the entirety of the contest and shot over 50% from the field since November 12th against the Indiana Pacers, and doesn’t have a game where he’s shot over 34% from three on more than two attempts in a game since November 6th against the Los Angeles Clippers. For reference, the November 6th contest was Jalen Green’s only full game he’s played this year: That was 43 days ago.
The first half of last night’s game, Booker appeared to be on track for another contest where his efficiency was down. He hit just one shot in the first 24 minutes on seven attempts, but when the second half rolled around, and the team needed him most, he turned things around.
With Phoenix down as much as 14 in the second half, Booker had 23 points on 8/12 shooting from the field, 2/4 from three, and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe in the game’s final two quarters. He hit numerous clutch shots, including one over Jimmy Butler with less than a minute left after the Warriors had a five-point possession thanks to Dillon Brooks’ flagrant foul on Stephen Curry.
He ended the night going 9-of-19, scoring 25 points. One of his most efficient outings over the last month.
In both the third and fourth quarters, Booker scored in double-digits. Coincidentally, the last time Booker scored 20 points in a half came in the first matchup against the Warriors on November 4th. It was the first time this season he had a 20-point half, and the Suns won. Phoenix was previously 0-3.
Only his second game back from the right groin injury he suffered against the Lakers on December 1st, Booker said he took his core shorts off to get himself going in the second half. He said the shorts restricted his movement and that he’s going to “retire” them.
Booker is now averaging 31.5 points per game on 51.2% from the field in his two matchups against the Warriors this year. What does he need to do to continue to get out of his slump and help the Suns be victorious when the two teams face off again on Saturday in San Francisco at 6:30?