Down 2-0 in the Western Conference semifinals, the Phoenix Suns needed a pick-me-up. As he often does, Devin Booker rose to the occasion. The three-time All-Star delivered when needed most in a monumental Game 3, scoring no matter who and how many members of the Denver Nuggets defense were draped all over him. With backcourt mate Chris Paul injured and watching from the bench, Booker sizzled on any look he had — a baseline fadeaway over Christian Braun, a foul line pull-up, a catch-and-shoot triple, a floater in the lane in heavy traffic and a driving underhand layup all landed in the bottom of the net. A remarkably efficient Booker converted 20 of 25 field goals and 5 of 8 3-pointers for a game-high 47 points while mixing in six rebounds, nine assists and three steals in a critical 121-114 Game 3 win on May 5, 2023. · May 6, 2023