Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker Cherishes 'Part of History' in Win Over New York Knicks

Devin Booker's Sunday showcase for the Phoenix Suns came at the expense of the New York Knicks.

The Phoenix Suns couldn't help but bring one more trey to close out Thanksgiving weekend. 

Devin Booker's three-pointer in the penultimate second of a Sunday night visit to Madison Square Garden was the difference in Phoenix's 116-113 victory over the hosting New York Knicks. It was Booker's only successful three-pointer of the night and the last of his visitors' best 28 points.

Booker's triumphant triple came right in front of the Knicks' bench, which could only watch in stunned silence as the three-time All-Star let one loose over the arms of RJ Barrett and Julius Randle. It was a dream come true for the 27-year-old, who made sure to make the most of his annual visit to Manhattan after missing the Suns' prior arrival in January due to an injury. 

"I'm a part of history now, it feels like," Booker said of hitting a buzzer-beater at MSG, per Tim McMahon of ESPN. "If you're a fan of the game and you're a fan of history, you should feel that upon arrival, right? When we touch down in New York City, even when I'm here in the summer and I get the chance to drive by MSG, it just gives you a certain feeling."

That certain feeling, at least for Booker, could be victory or vindication, maybe even both.

Devin Booker closed Thanksgiving weekend in style at Madison Square Garden / Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY SPORTS

Phoenix has had anything but a full table over the first quarter of an all-or-nothing 2023-24 season: its supposed "Big 3" of Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant has yet to share the floor this season due to various ailments. Beal (back) hasn't played since Nov. 12 while Durant (foot) was a game-time decision on Sunday before the Suns opted to sit him for the second straight contest.

But Booker, the de facto face of Phoenix's recent playoff disappointments, has gotten the Suns back on track after a tepid start: Sunday's heroics gave Phoenix (11-6) its seventh consecutive victory, tied with Orlando for the longest active streak in the NBA. In that span, coinciding with his own return from an ankle injury, Booker is averaging 29 points and eight assists while shooting just over 49 percent from the field.

Sunday's effort was at least enough to convince one teammate to compare Booker to a former MVP and one of his hardwood inspirations, the late, great Kobe Bryant.

Knicks' Comeback Tour Frozen By Booker, Suns

"(We knew) they were going to double team him ... the rest is just Devin Booker being Devin Booker," Jordan Goodwin, the last Arizonan to touch the ball before Booker, said of his teammate, per Duane Rankin of AZCentral. "I thought he was Kobe (Bryant) for a second, that's who I thought he was. Over two defenders, to win a game? That's big-time." 

Phoenix will face the Knicks in a rematch at Footprint Center next month.