NBA Roundup: Suns rock the Pelicans as Booker and Kawhi score season-highs

Phoenix, Arizona - Devin Booker reached 12,000 NBA career points with a season-high 58 points as the Phoenix Suns rallied from a 24-point deficit with a hard-fought 118-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker had water dumped on him by teammate Damion Lee after reaching a season high and defeating the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker had water dumped on him by teammate Damion Lee after reaching a season high and defeating the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.  © USA TODAY Sports

Booker, who returned from a hamstring issue in Thursday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers which ended the Suns' five-game losing run, made 21-of-35 attempts from the field, including shooting six-of-12 from beyond the arc.

The Suns guard's haul was the second most by a player in a single game this NBA season, behind only Joel Embiid with 59 points last month against the Utah Jazz.

At 26, Booker also became the sixth-youngest athlete in NBA history to reach 12,000 career points, behind only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady.

New York Liberty receives hero's welcome with ticker-tape parade for WNBA title!
NBA New York Liberty receives hero's welcome with ticker-tape parade for WNBA title!

The Suns had trailed 83-59 with 7:14 left in the third quarter, coming after the Pelicans had beaten them twice last week.

Booker had five rebounds and five assists along with his 58 points, while Chris Paul added 18 points with five rebounds and eight assists.

Zion Williamson scored 30 points with nine assists for the Pels, while C.J. McCollum added 27 points with eight assists.

Around the NBA: Mavericks fall to Cavaliers in overtime as Clippers beat the Wizards

Washington Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (inset) scored a season-high 31 points against the Washington Wizards, as Dallas Mavericks guard Kemba Walker (bottom l.) was called for a foul against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (botton r.) on Saturday.
Washington Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (inset) scored a season-high 31 points against the Washington Wizards, as Dallas Mavericks guard Kemba Walker (bottom l.) was called for a foul against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (botton r.) on Saturday.  © Collage: USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks spurned three late go-ahead opportunities, including Christian Wood's 30-foot buzzer-beating attempt, as the Cleveland Cavaliers got home 100-99 in overtime.

Jarrett Allen's dunk with 2:01 remaining in overtime was the final score, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 25 points for the victorious Cavs, who improved to 20-11. Jarrett Allen had eight points with 15 rebounds.

Kemba Walker top scored with 32 points for the Mavs, who were missing Luka Doncic, while Wood scored 26 points, including five triples, but he missed the crucial late one.

WNBA Finals: Breanna Stewart leads Liberty past Lynx in thrilling Game 2
NBA WNBA Finals: Breanna Stewart leads Liberty past Lynx in thrilling Game 2

Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 31 points as the Los Angeles Clippers fought back from a three-quarter time deficit to win 102-93 over the Washington Wizards.

Leonard, who has been working back slowly after missing last season with an ACL injury, played a season-high 31 minutes, shooting 12-of-26 with nine rebounds.

Luke Kennard came off the bench to add a season-high 20 points with four three-pointers as the Clippers rallied from a 75-72 three-quarter time deficit.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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