Devin Booker Says He Felt Kobe Bryant's Presence During Game 6 Win Over Lakers

Devin Booker propelled the Phoenix Suns to a 113-100 series-clinching victory over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. However, while speaking to the media post-game, the 24-year-old recounted the palpable presence of an individual he's looked up to his entire life.

After scoring a game-high 47 points on an astounding 15-22 from the field— including 8-10 from beyond the arc — Booker said that he couldn't help but think about Kobe Bryant and all of the conversations they had about the playoffs. He explained to reporters that he knows Bryant would have been proud of his scintillating performance, and that the 8 and 24 hanging in the rafters were shining down on him the entire night.

I was thinking about [Kobe Bryant] and the conversations that we had, Booker told the media post-game. Kind of about what we just went through, the postseason and being legendary and taking the steps to get there. So seeing that 8 and that 24 up there, with the way that the lighting at Staples has right here, it feels like it's shining down on you.

And I know he was here tonight. And I know he was here tonight. I know he's in the building. I know he was proud.

Devin Booker had Kobe Bryant in mind during his 47-point Game 6 performance. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/C7VYPqIRCf
— NBA (@NBA) June 4, 2021

In his first-ever career playoff series, Booker averaged 29.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists. LeBron James acknowledged the precocious superstar and gifted him an autographed jersey after the game, telling him to "continue to be great."