PHOENIX — The “MVP” chants followed Devin Booker every time he touched the ball Thursday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. He responded with 30 points and another career milestone, helping the Phoenix Suns hold off the Charlotte Hornets 101-96.
Booker came out in rhythm, scoring 15 first-half points on 6-of-9 shooting. Phoenix built a 17-point lead in the second quarter, but Charlotte trimmed the margin by outscoring the Suns 28-27 in the period and went into halftime down five.
The Hornets kept pushing after the break, erasing the deficit and taking a 76-72 lead into the fourth quarter. Phoenix answered with a stronger closing stretch, using timely scoring and key defensive stops to regain control.
With 28 seconds left, Booker hit a clutch 3-pointer to put Phoenix ahead 97-91. Former Sun Royce O’Neale answered with a four-point play to cut the lead to two, but the Suns held on. Bridges made two free throws, and Booker sealed the win with a steal and two more free throws.
Booker also finished with seven assists and three steals, again impacting the game beyond his scoring. Dillon Brooks added 15 points, while Collin Gillespie contributed 13. Miles Bridges, facing his former team for the first time since being traded to Phoenix, finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
The victory was Phoenix’s fourth in its last five games after a 1-5 start. Booker also continued his climb up the NBA’s all-time scoring list, passing Tracy McGrady’s career total of 18,381 points. With 18,401 career points, Booker now ranks 78th on the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring list.
The Suns will close their seven-game home stand against Western Conference rival Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m.