Devin Booker picked his first NBA playoff run to record his first triple-double. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker made his first appearance in a conference finals game in his career Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Like he has done throughout his career, Booker proved that no stage was too big for him. With future Hall of Fame guard Chris Paul out due to COVID-19 protocols for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in Phoenix, Booker more than made up for his absence.

Continuing with what has been a brilliant postseason performance this year, Devin Booker dropped 40 points on 15-of-29 shooting. He also grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 11 assists in a virtuoso all-around performance from the 24-year-old guard. That included 18 points in the third quarter alone. It was something to behold.

By virtue of their 120-114 win over Los Angeles in Game 1, the Suns are three victories away from making their first NBA Finals appearance since all the way back in 1993 when they lost to the Chicago Bulls.

As for Booker, he put up his sixth 30-plus point performance thus far in the playoffs. The only other player with more in a single playoff in franchise history is all-time great Suns forward Charles Barkley.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry team up to win Zurich in playoff
Candace Parker has one lofty post-retirement goal
NBA Coach of the Year announced
Nuggets star questionable with calf injury ahead of Game 5
Canucks start third goalie in Game 4 vs. Predators
Joel Embiid calls out Sixers fans for lack of home presence
Women's hoops icon Candace Parker retires: Basketball world pays tribute
Stephen A. Smith blasts NBA for not suspending Russell Westbrook
Cale Makar sparks Avalanche to go up 3-1 in series vs. Jets
Knicks shut down Sixers in final minutes to take 3-1 lead
Watch: ‘Playoff P’ finally emerges for Clippers
Falcons HC Raheem Morris addresses QB situation after curious draft pick
Watch: Avalanche's Artturi Lehkonen stays hot vs. Jets
Steelers back makes revealing comment about difference in QB situation
Predicting which non-2023 playoff teams will make the postseason in 2024
Rejuvenated Stars head into Game 4 after OT win
Watch: Yankees slugger Aaron Judge homers for second straight game vs. Brewers
Christian McCaffrey encouraged Commanders GM to draft brother Luke
Watch: Knicks' Jalen Brunson receives MVP chants in road playoff game vs. 76ers
Insider believes Drake Maye has chance to start right away for Patriots