Devin Booker explodes for 52 points in Suns' statement win over Pelicans

Booker scored 25 points in the first quarter of Phoenix's 123-109 victory over New Orleans, putting the game out of reach when it had barely started. He also assisted on three baskets, meaning Booker had a hand in 31 of Phoenix's 41 first-quarter points.

It's Booker's fifth quarter of 25 or more points in his career, more than anyone besides Steph Curry since the NBA started tracking quarter splits in the 1997-98 season. That's one more than Kobe Bryant and Damian Lillard.

The Pelicans came into the game two games ahead of the Suns, but they were badly outclassed at home. They trailed by 13 points after one quarter, 17 at halftime and by 20 going into the fourth quarter. The only way they managed to stop Booker, who shot 18-for-30 on his way to 52 points, was falling far enough behind that coach Frank Vogel pulled him with four minutes left.

Booker was so dominant that Kevin Durant's 26-point, two-block, two-steal effort was an afterthought. As was Jusuf Nurkic's 15-rebound night, where he added nine assists, just one off his career-high of ten dimes. Booker scored more points than Pelicans starters Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones combined — and Ingram and Williamson are All-Stars.

Phoenix won their fourth straight on Friday. They're 8-3 since Bradley Beal returned from injury on Dec. 29, serving notice that they're dangerous when their players are healthy.

But this game was more than Booker sending a message. Phoenix stole a road game in their three-game season series with the Pelicans, giving them a leg up on a tiebreaker with New Orleans. For teams this close in the standings, it could be the deciding factor for home-court advantage in April.

Of course, after Friday night, perhaps Booker wants to play as many games in New Orleans as he can. Or at least as many first quarters.