BBNBA: Devin Booker drains game-winning 3 over Julius Randle
Devin Booker is a bonafide superstar. Last night against the New York Knicks, he hit one of the most impressive game-winners you will see, and he did it over former ‘Cat Julius Randle.
With the game tied in the closing seconds, Book had the ball at the top of the key. Another former Kentucky guard, Immanuel Quickley, rushed over to double-team him, so he passed out of it, ran around a handoff screen to get the ball back, and launched a fadeaway 3-pointer as he fell out of bounds.
Nothing but net.
After the game, Book talked about the shot.
“For a game-winner, I’m feeling I’m taking that shot unless they super blitz me to where I can’t even see the hoop,” Booker told ESPN after his 28-point, 11-assist performance. “But any soft pressure like that, I feel like if I raise up and I have it on my right side that nobody can really get to it. I know it sounds crazy, but it feels like an open shot and when you let it go, it’s good.”
Devin Booker | ESPN
There’s something about Madison Square Garden that brings out the best in Booker. He loves that place. When the Phoenix Suns performed a massive renovation on their home arena a couple of years ago, he advocated making the lighting match that of MSG, a darkened crowd with a spotlight on the floor.
The Suns (mostly) obliged, but there’s no duplicating the Garden. According to Booker:
“I’m a part of history now, it feels like. It means a lot. If you’re a fan of the game and you’re a fan of history, you should feel that upon arrival, right? When we touch down in New York City, even when I’m here in the summer and I get the chance to drive by MSG, it just gives you a certain feeling.”
Devin Booker | ESPN
Book finished with 28 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds as the Suns won their seventh straight game and second without Kevin Durant in the lineup. I continue to be a Booker-for-MVP stan.
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Julius Randle had a pretty solid game himself
Booker overshadowed him (literally on the game-winner), but Julius Randle had a solid game of his own. His shooting numbers were nearly identical to Book’s — 28 points on 10-21 from the field including 1-4 from deep.
The Suns dared Randle to shoot all game, all but giving him wide-open jumpers. In hindsight, that might not have been the best strategy, but Phoenix got the win nonetheless.
Immanuel Quickley came off the bench once again for New York and filled up the stat sheet. He had 18 points, shot 3-6 from behind the arc, and was on the court during the final minutes with the game on the line. Give this man the 6th Man of the Year award that got stolen from his last year.
Other BBNBA Notes:
- All seven former Kentucky basketball players who played NBA minutes on Sunday scored in double figures. Karl-Anthony Towns was one of them. His 18 points and eight rebounds in just 26 minutes helped the Timberwolves blowout the Grizzlies as Minnesota maintains the best record in the West.
- Nine of PJ Washington‘s 10 shots came from behind the arc on Sunday. I’m not confident that is a recipe for long-term success for the former Kentucky power forward, but he is adjusting to his new role coming off the bench.
- Shaedon Sharpe matched his jersey number with 17 points, but the Blazers blew a 26-point lead to the Bucks, making it the largest comeback victory of the season.
Statistics for 11/26/2023
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | +/- | MIN |
| Julius Randle (NYK) | 113-116 L vs. PHX | 28 | 10-21 (1-4) | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -9 | 36 |
| Devin Booker (PHX) | 116-113 W vs. NYK | 28 | 10-25 (1-4) | 5 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +15 | 38 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 119-97 W vs. MEM | 18 | 7-11 (1-3) | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | +7 | 26 |
| Immanuel Quickley (NYK) | 113-116 L vs. PHX | 18 | 4-11 (3-6) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +5 | 29 |
| Shaedon Sharpe (POR) | 102-108 L vs. MIL | 17 | 7-19 (1-5) | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -19 | 37 |
| PJ Washington (CHA) | 117-130 L vs. ORL | 13 | 3-10 (3-9) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -5 | 13 |
| Keldon Johnson (SAS) | 120-132 L vs. DEN | 10 | 3-7 (0-2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -16 | 31 |
| Jamal Murray (DEN) | 132-120 W vs. SAS | DNP-Hamstring | ||||||||
| Nick Richards (CHA) | 117-130 L vs. ORL | DNP-Concussion | ||||||||
| Chris Livingston (MIL) | 108-102 W vs. POR | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| TyTy Washington (MIL) | 108-102 W vs. POR | DNP-CD |
Tonight in the NBA
- 7:00: Wizards @ Pistons (Knox)
- 7:00: Trail Blazers (Sharpe) @ Pacers (Jackson, Tshiebwe [two-way])
- 7:00 (NBA TV): Lakers (Davis: probable, Vanderbilt: out) @ 76ers (Maxey)
- 9:00: Pelicans @ Jazz (Juzang [two-way])
- 10:30 (NBA TV): Nuggets (Murray: out) @ Clippers (Boston: out)
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