– Pacers rally
– Suns spoil Devin Booker’s night.
Indiana Pacers Stage Epic Comeback to Stun Phoenix Suns
January 26, 2024
The Indiana Pacers put on a remarkable display of resilience and determination as they weathered Devin Booker’s early scoring flurry to secure a stunning victory over the Phoenix Suns. In a game filled with twists and turns, Obi Toppin emerged as the hero, breaking a tie with a putback in the dying seconds to cap off a 17-point comeback and secure a thrilling 133-131 win.
Booker’s Masterpiece Spoiled
Devin Booker’s individual brilliance was on full display as he broke his own Phoenix record for points in a quarter, scoring an astounding 29 points in the first quarter alone. With a chance to win the game at the buzzer, Booker’s hopes were dashed as he slipped on the inbounds pass and missed a contested 3-pointer. Despite Booker’s 62-point masterpiece, the Suns’ seven-game winning streak came to an end.
Defensive Adjustment Turns the Tide
The Pacers made a crucial defensive adjustment in the fourth quarter that proved to be a game-changer. They decided to double-team Booker and send an additional defender to force the ball out of his hands, causing chaos for the Suns’ offense. This strategy paid off as the Suns managed just 17 points in the final 12 minutes after scoring 40, 40, and 34 points in the previous quarters.
Obi Toppin, who finished the game with an impressive 23 points and 11 rebounds, spoke highly of Booker’s talent but emphasized the impact of their defensive approach. Toppin stated, “That fourth quarter, we decided to hit and send another defender to get the ball out of his hands and just scramble out of that. They didn’t like it at all. I think it was their worst quarter.”
Booker’s Historic Feat in Defeat
Despite the loss, Devin Booker’s performance will go down in the history books. This was the second time this season and the seventh time in his career that he scored 50 or more points in a game. His career-high of 70 points against Boston in March 2017 still stands as a testament to his scoring prowess. Interestingly, this game marked the first time since 1977-78 that multiple players scored 60 points in a loss, with Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves achieving the feat just a few days prior.
Pacers’ Monumental 24-Hour Stretch
The victory against the Suns was the culmination of a remarkable 24-hour stretch for the Indiana Pacers. Despite missing injured All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers managed to secure back-to-back wins against tough opponents. Pascal Siakam played a pivotal role in this triumph, scoring 31 points to lead the Pacers to victory.
Toppin’s Heroics Seal the Deal
With the game hanging in the balance, Obi Toppin’s presence on the boards proved to be decisive. After the Pacers missed two shots on their final possession, Toppin grabbed the rebound and made a crucial putback to secure the victory. Reflecting on the play, Toppin said, “We needed points so our objective was just to get involved, crash the boards. I saw Bennedict (Mathurin) try to finish over someone and then Pascal was right in front of me, so I just grabbed the ball and put it in.”
Final Words
The Indiana Pacers’ epic comeback against the Phoenix Suns will be remembered as one of the most thrilling games of the season. While Devin Booker’s scoring prowess was undeniable, it was the Pacers’ defensive adjustment and the heroics of Obi Toppin that ultimately turned the tide in their favor. This victory exemplified the resilience and determination of the Pacers, showcasing their ability to overcome adversity and secure a memorable win.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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– Pacers rally to top Suns, spoil Devin Booker’s historic performance
– Pacers stage impressive comeback, overshadow Devin Booker’s record-setting game.
