Paul Coro

azcentral sports

LAS VEGAS – The surprise in the Suns’ second NBA Summer League weekend win was that Devin Booker convinced the staff to let him play again. No surprise: Booker, who scored 24 on Sunday night, engaged in another spirited smack duel (with R.J. Hunter this time) and now has 52 points in the 2-0 start.

The real treat in the Suns’ 87-74 win against Portland was the first full flash of what No. 8 draft pick Marquese Chriss could be. Chriss settled in more for his second game, rising to the rim and diving to the floor in a 15-point, 14-rebound performance at Thomas & Mack Center.

“I felt a lot more comfortable coming out tonight than I did last night,” said Chriss, tissue controlling the bloody nose he suffered in the game. “I just felt like my feel was a little bit more better and I felt like my pace for the game got better.”

Chriss did have six fouls (Summer League limit is 10) and four turnovers in 30 minutes but was more active. His 14-rebound game would have been his collegiate high and the early ones came on the offensive glass with a tip-in and one-handed, in-air slam follow.

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Suns center Alan Williams joined Chriss with a double-double (15 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double) and fouls (he had seven). Williams and Booker continue to set the bar for team energy with their voices and effort.

Booker engaged in a scoring and verbal battle with Hunter, adding a chase-down block on Hunter to his night that included 24 points and seven assists.

“I think he’s the best player playing in this thing right now,” Williams said. “I think you’re seeing a star in the making. He’s already a star but he’s taking his game to the next level. It’s unfair to a lot of people. Within the last month, his work ethic has been crazy. He’s really in there working, drilling, getting better what he needs to get better on. He’s tough.”

Booker made 11 of 21 shots, including 3 of 5 3-pointers.

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“He’s a player that’s going to keep getting better,” Suns summer league head coach Nate Bjorkgren said. “You see him utilizing his post game a little bit. His elbow work. We know what we can do behind the arc. You’re seeing him handle the ball. He’s becoming more and more versatile. I’ll tell you what. He’s doing a great job guarding the ball. When he’s in ball screens, he’s really engaging the basketball and pursuing the ball.”

The Summer Suns have held their first two opponents to less than 40 percent shooting. On Sunday, the bench staff counted 40 Suns ball deflections on defense.

Suns point guard Tyler Ulis was the biggest defensive pest with six steals. He had five in the first half after stripping rookie Jaylen Brown on a drive. Ulis has 12 assists, 11 steals and one turnover in two Summer League games.

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“He anticipates,” Bjorkgren said. “He has a great feel for the game. He’s just got unbelievably great hands. You see him tip it to himself, get a steal and then he’s off to the races.”

The Suns’ other starter, rookie Dragan Bender, was scoreless until he made a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. He had more turnovers (five) and fouls (five) than points (three).

It could be the final Summer League performance for Booker, whose swagger has been as entertaining as his performance with his verbal sparring.

“Cuz he’s got me right there and he’s got the boys behind him,” Williams said. “Nobody messes with the family.”

Reach Paul Coro at paul.coro@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-2470. Follow him attwitter.com/paulcoro.