Why does Suns' Devin Booker dominate Pelicans? Social media theory: 'Don't poke the bear'
On Dec. 9, 2022, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Phoenix Suns, 128-117, in a game marred by a postgame scuffle after Zion Williamson did a 360 windmill dunk before the buzzer, a move that angered Suns players.
Since that moment, Devin Booker is 3-0 against the Pelicans in games he has played in and he is averaging 54 points per game in those contests (the Suns did play the Pelicans on Dec. 11, 2022, but Booker didn't play in that game, a 129-124 overtime loss for Phoenix).
On Dec. 17, 2022, Booker erupted for 58 points on 21-for-35 shooting against New Orleans in a 118-114 Suns win.
On Jan. 19, 2024, Booker scored 52 points on 18-for-30 shooting against the Pelicans in a 123-109 Phoenix win.
And on April 1, 2024, Booker again scored 52 points, this time on 19-for-28 shooting in a 124-111 win.
Did Williamson's disrespectful dunk prompt Booker's dominance over the Pelicans since?
More: Booker historic three straight 50-point games vs. Pels, play-in impact: Takeaways from huge Suns win
ZION WINDMILL 😱😱😱
THEN BOTH TEAMS GOT CHIPPY! pic.twitter.com/uLdZAwvDkQ— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 10, 2022
Social media was quick to link Booker's historic scoring spree against New Orleans to the Williamson dunk after the Suns' win on Monday night.
Social media reacts to Devin Booker's play vs. Pelicans: 'Don't poke the bear'
Devin Booker vs the Pelicans since this happened:
54.0 PPG
62.4 FG%
51.3 3P%
81.3 FT%
3-0 record
Don’t poke the bear. https://t.co/UAlfincFFC— Booker Muse (@DevinBookerMuse) April 2, 2024
Devin Booker since Zion did this (3 games)
162 Points (54PPG)💰
13 Rebounds 💪
19 Assist 🪙
64% FG ✅
51% 3PT 🎯 pic.twitter.com/GDAXounrNK— Book’em “fan” (@dbookownsyou) April 2, 2024
Devin Booker vs the Pelicans since this:
54 PPG
6.3 APG
6.7 3PM
62/51/81
3-0
The first player in NBA history to average 50 PPG and 5 APG in a 3 game span against the same opponent pic.twitter.com/21Z1dcjNkk— Automatic (@automaticnba) April 2, 2024
Devin Booker since this moment: https://t.co/Jvnqjnaawl pic.twitter.com/ALdugnDtUt
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) April 2, 2024
It’s personal
— Babyface Rich (@RichInterlude) April 2, 2024
This is truly incredible and by no means just a coincidence at this point.
— MungoBeanfield (@MungoBeanfield) April 2, 2024
Devin Booker, Suns set to face Pelicans again on Sunday
Is Williamson's dunk the reason for Booker's explosion against the Pelicans, or is it something else?
Does it even matter?
It's probably best to be watching every time the Suns face the Pelicans, because you never know what Booker is going to do next.
And guess what? You don't have to wait long for the Suns to face New Orleans again.
The Suns and Pelicans play on Sunday at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Better have your popcorn ready for that one.
More: Devin Booker's 52 points powers Phoenix Suns past New Orleans Pelicans to close road trip
FIFTY.
Book has scored 50+ for his 3rd straight game against the Pelicans, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history with 50+ points in three straight against an opponent (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/mErlcHEQF3— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 2, 2024
Book with a regular-season career-high SEVEN three-pointers tonight 👌
Surpasses his previous high of 6, done on 26 occasions! pic.twitter.com/Ob5hiVGuyj— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 2, 2024
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Devin Booker's dominance of Pelicans goes back to Zion Williamson dunk
