NBA Game Notes (Dec. 17, 2022)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on December 17, 2022.

Booker Drops 58

Devon Booker scored a season-high 58 points as the Suns rallied from a 24-point deficit to defeat the Pelicans 118-114. Booker also contributed six rebounds and five assists, shooting 21-35 from the field with six 3-pointers made.

Booker scored at least 10 points in every quarter (10, 12, 20, and 16). Booker’s 20 third-quarter points marked the 20th time he’s scored at least 20 points in a quarter. He’s the fifth active player to reach that mark:

• 38 — Stephen Curry

• 25 — LeBron James

• 25 — James Harden

• 21 — Damian Lillard

• 20 — Devin Booker

Booker’s 36 second-half points are the most by any player in a half this season.

Booker now has five career 50-point games, just one fewer than all other players in franchise history combined:

• 5 — Devin Booker

• 2 — Tom Chambers

• 1 — Clifford Robinson

• 1 — Tony Delk

• 1 — Amar’e Stoudemire

• 1 — Jamal Crawford

It’s the second time Booker has recorded at least 55 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a game. He’s the seventh player in NBA history with multiple such games:

• 10 — Wilt Chamberlain

• 4 — Rick Barry

• 4 — James Harden

• 3 — Elgin Baylor

• 3 — LeBron James

• 3 — Damian Lillard

• 2 — Devin Booker

Booker surpassed 12,000 career points, becoming the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to reach that mark (age in years-days):

• 24-035 — LeBron James

• 24-179 — Kevin Durant

• 25-220 — Kobe Bryant

• 25-268 — Carmelo Anthony

• 25-298 — Tracy McGrady

• 26-048 — Devin Booker

The Pelicans’ Zion Williamson scored 30 points and dished out nine assists in the loss, shooting 12-15 from the field (80.0%). It’s the seventh time he’s scored at least 30 points on 80% shooting from the field, tying Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo for the most such games among active players.

Williamson has scored at least 25 points on 50% shooting from the field in nine straight games, matching the franchise record he set in 2021. Over those nine games, Williamson is averaging 30.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 5.7 APG with a field goal percentage of 65.8%.

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Lillard Reaches Milestone

Damian Lillard had 25 points, 10 assists, and two steals as the Trail Blazers beat the Rockets 107-95. Lillard surpassed 18,000 career points, becoming the eighth active player to reach that mark. He’s just 21 points shy of passing Clyde Drexler for most points in franchise history:

• 18,040 — Clyde Drexler

• 18,020 — Damian Lillard

It’s the 59th time Lillard has recorded at least 25 points and 10 assists in a game, matching the combined total of the next two closest players in franchise history:

• 59 — Damian Lillard

• 34 — Clyde Drexler

• 25 — Terry Porter

Lillard shot 5-13 from 3-point range, the 144th he’s made at least five threes in a game. The only players in NBA history with more such games are Stephen Curry (306) and James Harden (170).

Backcourt mate Anfernee Simons scored a game-high 32 points. Simons made five 3-pointers, the 11th time he’s made at least five threes in a game this season. Only Stephen Curry (14) has recorded more such games.

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Cavs Edge Mavs in OT

The Cavaliers edged past the shorthanded Mavericks 100-99 in overtime. The Cavaliers are now 5-0 in overtime games this season. They’ve won seven straight overtime games dating back to last season, the longest such streak in franchise history.

The Cavaliers’ Darius Garland tallied 18 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, and four steals, posting a team-high Game Score of 22.2. He did not commit a turnover.

Backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 25 points but struggled from 3-point range, making just one of his nine shots from behind the arc.

Kemba Walker scored a game-high 32 points for the Mavericks, who were playing without MVP candidate Luka Doncic as well as fellow starters Spencer Dinwiddie and Dwight Powell. Walker also contributed seven assists and five rebounds, producing a game-high Game Score of 22.8.

It was Walker’s first 30-point game in almost one year. He last scored 30-plus points on Dec. 23, 2021, when he dropped 44 points on the Wizards as a member of the Knicks.

Teammate Christian Wood had 26 points, 14 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Wood is averaging 17.5 PPG and 8.0 RPG this season, shooting 54.7% from the field and 40.0% from 3-point range.