Devin Booker nailed the game-winner to give the Phoenix Suns a 109-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks Monday night. While most of the attention went to Booker for sinking the clutch dagger, Suns head coach Monty Williams credited veteran guard Chris Paul for drawing up the play.
Booker certainly benefited, with CP3 making him star in the role as their closer against the Mavericks. The 24-year old spoke after the game about his relationship with Paul so far. Booker admitted that he continues to learn a lot from the 35-year old and that being around each other makes them both better every day.
Via Gerald Bourguet:
Booker said he's learning from Chris Paul every day and called it a cheat code playing next to him. "Iron sharpens iron. We both hold each other accountable."
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 2, 2021
Paul certainly knows what Booker is all about and that's an absolute killer on the court.
How much confidence does Chris Paul have that Devin Booker would make that shot?
"All the confidence in the world."
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 2, 2021
Williams admitted following the game that the play was all Paul's. Chris Paul later revealed that it's a similar play they ran with Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers, with sharp-shooter JJ Redick coming off the screen for the catch-and-shoot.
Devin Booker was certainly more than capable of making the cold-blooded triple, with this becoming the fifth game-winning shot of his career. The one-time All-Star's numbers may be down this season, perhaps as a result of lesser ball-handling duties with the future Hall of Fame point guard's arrival. Nonetheless, based on his words, he must prefer having Paul around to mentor him and the rest of this young Suns squad as they look to make the postseason for the first time since 2010.
While Booker headlined the evening with his go-ahead trey, Paul was magnificent throughout the evening. He dropped a team-high 34 points, to go along with nine rebounds and nine assists while shooting an efficient 14-of-20 from the field. Meanwhile, Booker finished his night with 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting, while draining four 3-pointers in his first night back after a 4-game absence.
The Suns look to carry the momentum of this thrilling win as they head over to New Orleans on Feb 3.
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