BBNBA: Booker goes off for 62 points in tough Suns loss

There must be something in the BBNBA waters. Earlier this week, Karl-Anthony Towns put up a career-high 62 points, setting all kinds of Timberwolves records (and annoying his coach) along the way. However, not only did Minnesota lose that game, but Joel Embiid outshined him on the very same night by putting up 70 himself.

On Friday, it was Devin Booker‘s turn. Book poured in 62 points for the Phoenix Suns, but the team gave up a late 4th-quarter lead when Jacob’s brother, Obi Tobbin had a putback that gave the Pacers the win. The loss snapped Phoenix’s seven-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, Booker’s arch nemesis, Luka Doncic scored 73 for the Mavericks, casting a shadow over Booker’s incredible accomplishment. Between the loss and Doncic’s box score, Book likely isn’t celebrating as much as he otherwise would.

And if you need further proof that the moon is misaligned over Kentucky basketball players this week, the Wildcats lost to South Carolina after scoring…what for it…62 points while the Gamecocks put up 79. I’m sure one of you numerologists will figure all this out and report back.

Curses aside, Booker’s 62 points put him in elite company. He is the first Suns player to score more than 60 twice, but more impressively, he now holds the arena records for four NBA franchises: Boston (70), Indiana (62), Utah (59), and Phoenix (58).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 points and Cason Wallace has a career-high in steals to propel the Thunder to a win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up half the amount of points as Devin Booker but still all scorers in the Thunder’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He got his team the win too. SGA casually posted 31 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block, as he continues to showcase why he is very likely to receive some MVP votes this year.

Cason Wallace is the other former Wildcat in OKC who keeps grinding his way into relevance. The rookie had 12 points and four steals on Friday. The four steals tie his career high that he set back in just his 7th game in the NBA.

Wallace ranks in the top 10 amongst rookies in steals at 0.7 per game and third amongst rookies in 3-point shooting at 42.1 percent. OKC drafted Wallace for this defense and shooting and that is exactly what they are getting.

BBNBA Stats for 1/26/2024

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Devin Booker (PHX)	131-133 L vs. IND	62	22-37 (6-12)	5	4	1	2	4	+1	38
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	107-83 W vs. NOP	31	10-21 (3-8)	4	5	2	1	4	+12	32
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	116-100 W vs. POR	21	9-15 (0-2)	16	1	1	2	1	+8	30
Nick Richards (CHA)	104-138 L vs. HOU	14	3-6 (0-0)	7	1	0	3	0	-18	27
PJ Washington (CHA)	104-138 L vs. HOU	12	4-9 (0-2)	2	2	0	3	2	-23	29
Cason Wallace (OKC)	107-83 W vs. NOP	12	5-10 (2-5)	2	1	4	0	0	+18	21
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	127-107 W vs. TOR	2	1-1 (0-0)	1	0	0	0	0	+4	2
Immanuel Quickley (TOR)	107-127 L vs. LAC	DNP-Thigh
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)	100-116 L vs. SAS	DNP-Thigh
Olivier Sarr (OKC) [Two-way]	107-83 W vs. NOP	DNP-G League
TyTy Washington (MIL)	100-112 L vs. CLE	DNP-G League
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	133-131 W vs. PHX	DNP-CD
Chris Livingston (MIL)	100-112 L vs. CLE	DNP-CD
Oscar Tshiebwe (IND) [Two-way]	133-131 W vs. PHX	DNP-CD

Today in the NBA

12:00: Wizards @ Pistons
3:00 (ABC): Heat (Adebayo, Herro) @ Knicks (Randle)
5:30 (ABC): 76ers (Maxey) @ Nuggets (Murray)
6:00: Rockets @ Nets
7:00: Clippers (Boston) @ Celtics
7:00: Jazz @ Hornets (PJ Washington, Richards)
8:00: Pelicans @ Bucks (T. Washington, Livingston)
8:30: Timberwolves (Towns) @ Spurs (Johnson)
8:30 (ABC): Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt) @ Warriors
9:00: Kings (Fox, Monk, Lyles) @ Mavericks