Nobody had ever scored 60 points in an NBA game and lost until this past week. Devin Booker of
the Phoenix Suns did so on Friday, making history as the second player to do so in the previous five days.
Booker had 62 points and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Phoenix Suns 133-131 on Friday night, but he missed the game-winning jumper at the last. He made 22 of 37 field goals, six three-pointers, and twelve free throws. However, in a game against the high-scoring Pacers, his team was unable to overcome their 20 turnovers, with Bradley Beal committing more turnovers (six) than made baskets (five).
Surprisingly, this week’s incident marks the second occasion in NBA history that a player has had 60 points and lost. In a 128-125 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 62 points as well. Towns was benched for a brief period of the game, but with five seconds remaining, the officials failed to call a foul, giving Towns a chance to win.
The most peculiar aspect was that both feats took place the same evening that a separate player achieved a 70-point total. On Monday, Joel Embiid scored 70 points in the same game that Towns went on a scoring spree. Luka Doncic, with whom Booker has a fierce rivalry, was the one Friday night. It might not be a coincidence that the two games are scheduled at the same time on the same night.
At the buzzer, Booker did had a chance to win it. When the score was deadlocked at 131 points, Indiana pulled down two offensive rebounds, with Obi Toppin dishing out the final one to seal the victory but suddenly the opportunity to win evaporated. in the true sense.
