Devin Booker is making playoff history, keeping Suns' championship hopes alive: 'I'm just trying to win'

Benyam Kidane

Devin Booker is making playoff history, keeping Suns' championship hopes alive: 'I'm just trying to win' image

After going down 2-0 to the Nuggets, the Suns have clawed their way back into their Western Conference Semifinal series, thanks largely to the play of Devin Booker.

The Suns guard has been the NBA's most impactful scorer throughout the postseason. He followed up his 47-point performance in Game 3 with another scorching effort at the Footprint Center on Sunday night.

Booker was ruthlessly efficient once again in Game 4, totaling 36 points (14-of-18 shooting), a playoff career-high 12 assists and six rebounds to lead the Suns to a 129-124 win.

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While the three-time All-Star has been posting spectacular numbers, he is keeping his focus on the end goal.

"Man, I'm just trying to win," Booker said after Game 4. "I always say, and it's something I'll tell [Kevin Durant], throw that efficiency s— out the window. I don't care about that. Just keep going, keep attacking, keep being aggressive, and if it's a product of getting open shots and knocking them down, that's what I'm supposed to do. ...

"I feel like I'm supposed to make a lot of the shots I take."

And he's done just that. Over his past two games, Booker has racked up 83 points with only nine missed shots.

Devin Booker's last two games
Game PTS REB AST STL FG% 3P%
Game 3 47 6 9 3 20-25 (80.0%) 5-8 (62.5%)
Game 4 36 6 12 1 14-18 (77.8%) 3-4 (75.0%)

When you zoom out, Booker's postseason scoring exploits not only have him standing alone atop the playoff leaderboard, but also alongside some NBA legends.

Averaging 36.8 points through nine playoff games, Booker ranks fourth in NBA history in points per game among all players who have played in at least eight postseason games, trailing only Elgin Baylor (38.1 in 1961 and 38.2 in 1962) and Jerry West (40.6 in 1965).

Sunday's Game 4 also marked the third straight 35-point game for Booker, setting a new franchise record.

With Booker firing on all cylinders and Kevin Durant filling it up, the Suns will look to seize momentum in the series when they travel to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.