Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker recorded nine points to help Team USA defeat Puerto Rico 104-83 and close out group play 3-0.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker got his third-straight start of the Olympics after scoring in double-figures and being the best plug-and-play player Team USA had in the first two games. Tonight, he struggled a bit from the floor, only shooting 3-for-9 on field goals and 0-for-2 from deep. However, he did have his best rebounding game so far with four boards, three of which were on the offensive glass, as well as two assists. Booker ended with a +15 plus/minus in 17 minutes, as he now has a team-high +84 plus/minus through Team USA’s eight games this summer (3 in Olympics and 5 exhibitions).
Devin Booker against Puerto Rico:
???????? 9 PTS
???????? 4 REB
???????? 2 AST???? NBC + Peacock pic.twitter.com/vhs1UmmDxk
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 3, 2024
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid started alongside Booker today. The bench once again dominated, led by a game-high 26 points from Anthony Edwards, as the U.S. outscored Puerto Rico 52-37 in bench points.
Booker was a lot more assertive offensively today than he had been in the first two games. The U.S. clinched the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals next week with the win.
Booker’s Performance
Coming off a team-high six assists in Team USA’s 103-86 win over South Sudan Wednesday, Booker recorded an assist to James less than three minutes into the game to put the U.S. up 5-4. He scored his first points on a layup off an offensive rebound off a James miss in transition with five minutes remaining in the first quarter to conclude a 7-0 U.S. run that gave them a 13-12 lead. Overall, Booker struggled shooting in his seven minutes in the first period, going 1-for-5 from the floor and 0-for-4 from deep. He totaled two points, two rebounds (both offensive) and two assists.
Booker checked back in with 4:55 to go in the first half and the U.S. leading 44-37 after strong first-half bench performances by Edwards and Kevin Durant. After subbing back in alongside the starters, James started to take over the game, mainly with his passing, as the U.S. won the second quarter 39-16. With 1:02 to go in the half, James found Booker for an and-one. On the next possession, Booker was fouled on a clear-path foul in transition and made both free throws. Booker ended the first half with seven points (2-6 FG), two rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes and the United States had a 64-45 lead.
Booker missed two shots to open the third quarter before James found him on an easy layup just over two minutes into the half. The layup was also Team USA’s first points of the period. Right after the bucket, Booker forced a shot clock violation on Puerto Rico. Booker subbed out with 4:38 to go in the third quarter and never returned, as the U.S. led by as much as 31 the rest of the game.
Devin Booker layup on one end, forces shot clock violation on the other.
Team USA up 75-54 in the 3rd. #Suns #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/aSU8eG7aYD
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) August 3, 2024
Team USA will play in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, Aug. 6 with the opponent and time still to be determined.
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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
