Today, March 24, 2024, marks exactly seven years since a 20-year-old Devin Booker dropped a career-high 70 points against the Boston Celtics.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker became the youngest player ever to score 70, and this was the first time since Kobe Bryant scored 81 on Jan. 22, 2006 that any player had scored 70 or more.
Until this season when Booker scored 62 against the Pacers, this was the only time in his career he had scored more than 60 points.
The Suns lost to the Celtics 130-120, but Booker had 51 of his points in the second half. He also notched eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.
3/24/17 – On the 27yr anniversary of Tom Chambers' 60p game, Devin Booker broke the Phoenix #Suns record for points in a game with 70 (T-6/and youngest in #NBA history), 51 in a half (2nd), and tied his own record for pts in a Q (28) (4Q). PHX lost at Boston 130-120. #ComingInHot pic.twitter.com/i6TrHxrjJl
— Arizona Sports History (@AZSportsHistory) March 24, 2024
Booker went 21-of-40 from the field, 4-of-11 from deep and 24-of-26 from the free throw line.
7 years ago today…
Devin Booker watches back and reacts to his historic 70-point performance against Boston in 2017 🗣️💯 pic.twitter.com/v4ngw803gP
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 24, 2024
Although Kobe held the 70-plus mark for over a decade, Booker only held it for less than six years when Donovan Mitchell scored 71 on Jan. 2, 2023.
Since, three others (Damian Lillard, Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic) have all reached this mark. Now, 10 players, including Booker and these three, have scored 700 or more in an NBA game.
Kevin Durant was left dumbfounded when he found out Joel Embiid scored 70 points last night 😂https://t.co/hXUopjD1es #Suns pic.twitter.com/rEt8d3aX09
— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) January 23, 2024
“It was harder to get 70 back in my day, now everyone gets it,” Booker said at All-Star weekend. “People are scoring the ball at a high level, the talent is at an all-time high, and the evolution of the game. People just keep getting better and better.”
Devin Booker on players scoring 70-points four times over the last year:
“It was harder to get 70 back in my day, now everyone gets it. People are scoring the ball at a high level, the talent is at an all-time high, & the evolution of the game, people just keep getting better &… pic.twitter.com/j1aIlciP60
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) February 19, 2024
Will Booker ever top this 70-point performance?
Devin Booker breaks Gainbridge Fieldhouse scoring record in loss to Pacers
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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
