On March 24, 2017, the basketball world witnessed history as Devin Booker, then just 20 years old, put on a performance for the ages. In a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, the Phoenix Sunsâ young star erupted for 70 points, a feat so rare that it left fans, players, and analysts in awe.
Bookerâs 70-point masterpiece was not just an individual triumph; it was a showcase of skill, determination, and relentless scoring ability. From the opening tip, Booker displayed an uncanny ability to find his shot, whether it was from beyond the arc, in the midrange, or at the rim. He scored in a variety of waysâpull-up jumpers, crafty finishes, and free throwsâproving himself to be an offensive juggernaut.
Despite the Suns ultimately losing the game 130-120, Bookerâs performance stole the show. His scoring outburst made him the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 70-point mark, surpassing legendary names like Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and David Robinson. The achievement cemented Bookerâs status as one of the leagueâs most promising young stars.
What made Bookerâs 70-point night even more remarkable was that it came in an era where high-scoring games are much harder to achieve. Defenses are more complex, and pace-and-space basketball doesnât often allow for one player to dominate in such a manner. Yet Booker managed to defy the odds. His 51 points in the second half alone showed just how unstoppable he was once he got rolling.
The historic performance didnât go unnoticed. Teammate Jared Dudley, who played a key role in helping Booker get the ball in favorable spots, posted a picture of the young star holding up a sheet with â70â written on it, reminiscent of Wilt Chamberlainâs iconic 100-point photo. The image quickly went viral, solidifying the moment in basketball history.
Reactions from around the league poured in. NBA superstars, including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, praised Bookerâs feat. While some critics pointed out that the Suns were feeding Booker the ball in a game they were losing, others rightfully recognized the sheer difficulty of scoring 70 points against a well-coached Celtics team.
Bookerâs 70-point game wasnât just a flash in the panâit was a sign of things to come. He would go on to become a multiple-time All-Star, an elite scorer, and the face of the Sunsâ resurgence. His ability to take over games and score at will became a defining trait, leading Phoenix to the NBA Finals in 2021 and establishing him as one of the premier players in the league.
Looking back, March 24, 2017, was more than just a remarkable night for Devin Booker; it was the beginning of his ascent to superstardom. The 70-point explosion in Boston remains one of the greatest individual performances in modern NBA history, a reminder that when Booker gets hot, heâs virtually unstoppable.
Even years later, fans still talk about that night with admiration and disbelief. It was a night that proved Devin Booker was destined for greatnessâa night where he truly broke the box score and etched his name into the history books forever.
