As Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker approaches the first Game 7 of his career at home versus the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, the three-time All-Star says he's relishing the additional tension that comes with the do-or-die territory.
"Just understanding your season is at stake," Booker said Saturday, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "So that adds a good pressure to it, an exciting pressure, and I think we have the guys in this gym that embrace that. Embrace it, take it in, and are ready to perform up to it."
Despite navigating injury early in the Suns' playoff run, Booker has averaged 24.7 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 assists with 45.9% shooting on threes through nine postseason appearances.
"I like coming in here with everybody locked in, top to bottom from the front office looking through the windows - you can feel their demeanor," Booker said.
"That's why we play the sport. We thought we had something going there (in terms of pressure) during the regular season, trying to break the franchise record, and this is a whole different beast."
The series will conclude in Phoenix after the Suns dropped Game 6 in ignominious fashion, 113-86. Tip-off is on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
