Devin Booker says Jordan Goodwin 'changed the game' in Suns' comeback win over Wizards

Devin Booker was like Batman and Jordan Goodwin was Robin during the fourth quarter in the Phoenix Suns' comeback victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

“He came in and changed the game in more ways than one," Booker said about Goodwin in the postgame.

After Booker and Phoenix struggled shooting 19-of-46 and 2-of-19 from the arc in the first half, and Washington gained a definitive double-digit lead, Kevin Durant gained steam as he scored 11 of his game-high 28 points.

“You gotta give them credit. They were making shots," Goodwin said. "I think we were like 2-of-19 going into the half. We’re missing shots and they came out. They have had a good game in their last game (in their win at Indiana on Friday), so they kept their momentum rolling.”

Phoenix started the fourth down by eight, then rode on Booker's cape as he scored 11 of his 27, including seven during its 15-6 run through six minutes to regain the team's first lead since the opening period, adding three of his eight assists.

Goodwin finished with six points (3-of-7 FG), season-high eight rebounds, and six assists in 20 minutes for a game-high 17-plus against his former team. In the fourth, the backup guard contributed four points, five rebounds, and two assists.

“It really good, especially to get the win against the Wizards, my old team,” Goodwin said with smile. “I think it’s my role on this team, just bring a lot of energy, just be the hardest impact player on the court.”

Goodwin admitted that he was excited to play against Washington, which sent him to Phoenix in the trade package for Bradley Beal (out from his ankle sprain suffered in Friday's loss to New York) in June for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and a multitude of future draft picks.

“I had it circled on my schedule. I was waiting on them,” Jordan said as Jusuf Nurkic walked by him and yelled, “Revenge game!”

When Goodwin joined Phoenix, his reputation preceded him as a defensive disruptor. He possesses quick hands for deflections, and picking pockets to creating transition opportunities, getting defensive boards and extending possession on the offensive glass, and was in the NBA's top 10 for steals percentage last season.

“We want him to star in his role, and that’s to be a low turnover guy and a setup guy offensively," Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said. "He had six assists, two turnovers, I think six and one last game (against New York), and to be a guard crasher. He’s doing a good job of keeping possessions alive, getting that extra possession, extra shots, and he had a great performance from that standpoint tonight.”

Goodwin was the catalyst in Phoenix's pivotal fourth quarter surge sparked by him and Booker. When Phoenix was down by four at 8:52, Goodwin rebounded his own miss and kicked the ball to Booker and he drained a triple.

Goodwin also grabbed a defensive rebound, Booker had a dime on a layup by Goodwin about a minute later to knot the game at 93-93, snared to offensive rebounds, and Goodwin had another layup to put Phoenix ahead by three at 4:42.

Phoenix never relinquished the lead from there.

“Jordan made some huge plays for us, both defensively and offensively," Durant said. "Making the right plays on the offensive side of the ball. Getting it to the paint. Being aggressive. Getting offensive rebounds. It was a great game from him today.

"Playing against his old team so, you know his energy was up. But I am glad that he was able to help us get this W and he is one of the main reasons that we got this W."

Phoenix has had struggles closing games and holding fourth quarter leads this season. That recently includes the past three games in which Phoenix nearly lost to Golden State in the final minute on Tuesday, fell to Brooklyn the next day, and got torched by New York after having the lead for much of the first three quarters on Friday.

But in Beal's absence, Goodwin stepped up well to flourish when it counted the most.

“Just staying together," Goodwin said about toughing out the win in fourth quarter against Washington. "We know we got three of the best closers on our team with Brad, D-Book and KD, so just trusting to make the right play and we’ll be OK.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Booker says Goodwin 'changed the game' in Suns' win over Wizards