Before this week, no one had ever scored 60 points in an NBA game and lost. On Friday, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker became the second player to do so in the last five days.
D-Book left it all on the floor tonight, scoring 62 points, including 37 in the 1st half.
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2024
This is the 2nd-highest scoring game of Booker's career (70). pic.twitter.com/nuPEwWbMNb
Booker scored 62 points Friday night, but missed a game-winning shot at the buzzer as the Indiana Pacers beat the Phoenix Suns, 133-131. He shot 22-for-37 from the field with six three-pointers and a dozen free throws. But his team couldn't overcome their 20 turnovers against the high-scoring Pacers, with Bradley Beal logging more turnovers (six) than made baskets (five).
Shockingly, while it's only the second time in NBA history a player has had 60 points and a loss, it's also the second time this week. Karl-Anthony Towns also had 62 points on Monday night in a 128-125 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Towns was briefly benched during the game, but would have had a chance to win the contest when the referees missed a foul call with five seconds left.
The strangest part was that both performances happened on the same night a different player scored 70 points. Monday it was Joel Embiid pouring in 70 points the same night as Towns' scoring binge. Friday night it was Luka Doncic, who has an intense rivalry with Booker. With both games taking place at the same time, it may be no coincidence that the two poured it on the same night.
I refuse to believe it is a coincidence that both Devin Booker and Luka Doncic have more than 60 points each, the same night, following the game Luka had an altercation with that fan in the Booker jersey.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 27, 2024
Booker did have a chance to win it at the buzzer. With the game tied at 131 points, Indiana grabbed two offensive rebounds, the last one put back by Obi Toppin for the game-winner.
The Obi Toppin game winner against the Suns.
— DJ (@DJAceNBA) January 27, 2024
Toppin's line: 23 pts | 11 rbs | 10-for-15 FG | +7 pic.twitter.com/gugKwkULu9
But then the chance at victory slipped away. Literally.
Devin Booker slips, gets up and misses the shot. Indiana wins 133-131! pic.twitter.com/OdSRoQY4cS
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) January 27, 2024
Booker lost his balance, Aaron Nesmith contested his shot and Booker had to settle for 62 points. And an L.
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