Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker on Friday had a rough 62-point outing if there ever was one.
The 3-time All-Star scored 62 points — the second-highest total of his career — in a 133-131 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
The loss snapped the Suns’ 7-game winning streak and spoiled what would have been a celebratory night for the Suns star.
On top of that, Booker’s 62 points were completely eclipsed by his arch nemesis Luka Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks guard simultaneously poured in a historic 73 points in a 148-143 affair at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga.
Fans on X were quick to clown Booker for losing not just Friday’s game, but also the spotlight to Doncic.
Devin booker has a 50
Pt game and he’s gonna pull out his phone at his locker just to see Luka doncic went for 70 plus pic.twitter.com/8XXfjcGKNz— John (@iam_johnw) January 27, 2024
booker thinking it was gonna be his night to be in the limelight but then hearing about luka dropping 41 at half time:
pic.twitter.com/RZVqmU6eXc— aims (@yungaims) January 27, 2024
booker: 62-5-4
luka: 73-10-7 pic.twitter.com/Lf0JDGqoQ4
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) January 27, 2024
devin booker getting 62 in a loss the same night luka doncic scores 70 in a win pic.twitter.com/mQjFj7qqz1
— 💆🏽♂️ (@godspeedbrother) January 27, 2024
Booker when someone tells him how many Luka had tonight pic.twitter.com/bhnCWAtfLx
— Tommy (@tommyob95) January 27, 2024
Booker is gonna be sick.. has a career night, loses… then going back to see his arch nemesis Luka put up 73 in a win pic.twitter.com/3gsEaRb2lP
— Wade Teltoe (@Tweettoes18) January 27, 2024
Both players probably had extra motivation given that January 26 is the death anniversary of the legendary Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers legend famously scored 81 points nearly two decades ago. The 81-point mark set by Bryant appeared to be within the realm of possibility for both Booker and Doncic before each fell short.
The Suns and Mavs had just played against one another on Wednesday. Booker dominated Doncic in Dallas. The Slovenian superstar was also continuously heckled by a fan in a Booker jersey, who later was reached out to by Booker himself.
Friday’s twin scoring performances was just the latest chapter in the Doncic-Booker rivalry.
