Mar 24, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gestures to the crowd in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns has received some NBA MVP love from his colleagues.
When it comes to names that have been linked to the NBA MVP award for the 2021-22 season, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets have been consistently brought up. One name that has been gaining some steam for the award is Devin Booker of the first-place Phoenix Suns.
On Thursday night, the Suns defeated the Nuggets 140-130 behind Booker’s huge 49-point performance. This was also Phoenix’s 60th victory of the season, further extending their lead over the Western Conference.
Booker received some support for a possible NBA MVP award from fellow guards Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Devin Booker receives MVP support from Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant
Booker is the leading scorer on the best team in the entire league. Of course, that will garner some attention for those looking at potential NBA MVPs, considering the playoffs are on the horizon.
The Suns guard scored his 49 points by shooting 16-for-25 from the field and 15-for-17 from the free-throw line. Booker also secured a double-double by recording 10 assists. Additionally, Booker recorded four rebounds, three steals and one block.
On the year, Booker is averaging 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists through 63 games, while owning a field goal percentage of 46.2 and a 3-point percentage of 37.5.
After the Nuggets game on Thursday, March 24, the Suns have eight more games remaining in the regular season. It will be interesting to see how Booker performs through that stretch and if it will help propel himself up the NBA MVP rankings.