For the first time in four years, the Phoenix Suns won their first game of the season.
And for the first time since Nov. 22, 2015, the Suns are above .500.
The Suns held off a pesky Mavericks team with a 121-100 victory in front of a raucous Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday night. Here are three big takeaways from the win.
The #Suns pick up their 6th straight win over the #Mavs and their first on opening night since 2014. pic.twitter.com/TxmsU2g4TP
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) October 18, 2018
1. Booker's hand is just fine, folks
After undergoing surgery on his shooting hand last month, Devin Booker's availability for the Suns' season opener appeared to be in serious doubt.
But after missing the entire preseason, the man who signed the richest contract in franchise history let Suns fans know he's just fine.
Booker buried the Mavericks down the stretch, scoring 16 consecutive points for the Suns in a span of less than four minutes in the fourth quarter. For the game, Booker scored a game-high 35 points and went 12 of 19 from the field.
Reminder: Booker is only 21 years old. He won't turn 22 until Halloween eve.
Make it 30 for D. Book! #TimeToRise pic.twitter.com/d8fxyqzXmd
— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2018
RINSE AND REPEAT! ☔️👀 pic.twitter.com/JfXul0XQDi
— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2018
2. Ayton sharp in debut
Of course, all the buzz heading into Wednesday night was the debut of center Deandre Ayton, the former Phoenix Hillcrest Prep and UA star who became the first No. 1 overall pick in Suns history.
SEE ALSO: Ayton forced to stop post-game interview to get towels for teammates
Ayton provided fans with a glimpse of what he can become for this franchise, as he put together an 18-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist performance in his NBA regular-season debut.
Q: What's a good start to an @NBA career?
A: 18PTS, 10REB, 6AST, 1STL, 1BLK.Well done, @DeandreAyton. pic.twitter.com/jkJzuOziJw
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) October 18, 2018
3. Suns make it rain from deep
In just one game, the Suns eclipsed last season's high mark for 3-pointers in a game. The Suns were the NBA's worst 3-point shooting team last season, but they made 19 triples vs. the Mavs on just 34 attempts Wednesday.
Booker made 6 of his 10 attempts, free-agent acquisition Josh Jackson went 5 of 9 from beyond the arc, and T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson both went 3 of 4 from distance.
Trevor Ariza is 🔥🔥🔥 right now. He's 5 of 7 from 3 and has 21 points. Welcome to town! pic.twitter.com/gBOaym9zs5
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) October 18, 2018
