NBA MVP Watch 2018-19: 5 Best performers from 17th October

#5 Devin Booker

Booker LIT IT UP in the 4th quarter

Stats: 35 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists in 33 minutes of game time;

12-of-19 from the field, 6-of-10 on 3-pointers, 5-of-6 on free throws, +/- of +22

Reports of Devin Booker's failing health were greatly exaggerated, to quote Mark Twain in a manner befitting the occasion. The 21-year-old had a wrist injury last month and saw no minutes in preseason action, leading people to believe that he might be out for a while.

Indeed, I myself was surprised to see Booker start the game, and his inclination to give high fives with his uninjured hand only drives the notion home.

Enough with the injury troubles, however. The Mavs kept the game close up until the youngest player to score 70 points in an NBA game decided it was time to turn it up a notch. At one point, Booker had scored 14 straight points for the Suns, and it led to the bloated scoreline which might make one believe it was a blowout from the start - which it wasn't.

It might be way too early to lump Booker into NBA MVP conversation given his defensive lapses, but the young'un has already shown enough potential to be a contender in the scoring title sweepstakes.