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Devin Booker + Kevin Durant = Pure Buckets

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both dropping 31 in last night’s 133-115 victory over the Timberwolves is the epitome of what the star duo can bring to the table every night for the Phoenix Suns.

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In what was supposed to be the first game of the Suns’ Big 3, Booker and Durant more than carried the load after Bradley Beal was a very late scratch.

In Booker’s first game back after missing five straight with a right calf strain, the two faces of the Suns helped Phoenix unload offensively against what was the NBA’s No. 1 defense entering the night.

Phoenix posted a 60/50/90 game as a team in the blowout victory. The Suns shot 51-of-85 (60%) from the field, 17-of-31 (54.8%) from deep and 14-of-15 (93.3%) from the line. Games similar to this caliber offensively could happen quite a bit if the Suns stay healthy.

On top of this, the Suns only turned the ball over nine times after entering the game averaging 16.8, the third-worst mark in the league.

Booker finished with 31 points, five assists and four rebounds in only 26 minutes in his return, an ideal way to come back from injury.

Durant had 31 points, six assists and six rebounds in 35 minutes. In total, six Suns finished in double figures.

Both Durant and Booker are averaging over 30 points now (granted its’s only been three games for Booker). Durant is firmly in the very early MVP conversation.

“It’s always nice just playing,” Booker said postgame after his return. “Trying to put my inputs in from the bench, gets old after a while, and I just want to get out there and compete with the team.”

In all of the clips below, you can see just how easy Booker and Durant were getting to their spots all night on all three levels. The spacing was perfect, which was a complete 180 from the way the Suns had been playing the last few games.

The 35-year-old Durant had to carry everything on his shoulders during Booker’s absence, but Booker’s presence last night made everything simple for KD.

“Adding Book(er) out there just makes everything easier for everybody,” Durant said. “And once we get Brad(ley Beal) back, it’s gonna feel the same way. Looking forward to finally becoming a whole team.”

Coach Frank Vogel had a similar sentiment to Durant on how much Booker opens up everything for everyone else.

“Book makes everybody’s life easier,” Vogel said. “I think Kev(in Durant) did benefit from that tonight. But, Kev was locked in. I think even without Book in there, Kevin’s gonna have that type of night.”

What Devin Booker Brings to the Table

The Suns finally got their “point guard” back in Booker as Durant joked after the game.

“(Booker was) incredible,” Durant said. “That’s what I expect out of him every time he touches the floor. I maybe was expecting a little bit of like, wind in his lungs early on, but he looked great. The pop was there, just playing with pace. And that’s what we need. It’s good to have our point guard back.”

As for Booker, he responded by saying he’s just a “relay man” and looks to kick it ahead to KD.

On a more serious note, Vogel complimented Booker’s point guard ability.

“(Booker’s) leadership on our team is really invaluable,” Vogel said. “He’s leading when he’s not in uniform. In film sessions and practices, he’s our most vocal guy. And he’s really taken the reins of that this year with this team. And even more so, on the floor, as the point guard, running the show. We ask our point guards or primary ball handlers to get us in action, and I will put us in action if I want to see it, but I want them to own their team, and he really takes control of that. And then obviously the shotmaking, the attention that he draws, bringing two to the ball, his ability to pass the basketball out of it, is really exceptional and underrated part of his game. And he was great tonight.”

When questioned about his leadership, Booker gave an answer that will make every Suns’ fan excited.

“We have multiple leaders on this team that lead in different ways,” Booker said. “I think the term leadership goes off if you’re successful or not. and there’s many ways to do it. I’ve had many different teams and different players, and you kind of just have to figure out what’s most effective to who you’re trying to lead. But, credit our team having a lot of experience from the coaching staff down to all the players that everything is collaborative, and we can talk through situations. It’s like we’ve been there before and feels like we’ve been a team for a long time.”

If Booker and Durant can sustain their health, the Suns will be one of, if not the most fun team to watch in the league just because of how easy the two of them make it look on the floor.

WATCH: Devin Booker and Kevin Durant Each Score 31 As Suns Crush Timberwolves 133-115 in Booker’s Return

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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau

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