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Devin Booker Holds Off Michael Porter Jr. in ESPN NBA 2K Players Tournament

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistApril 6, 2020

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 10: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game on March 10 , 2020 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Sam Forencich/Getty Images

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker toppled Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. in the first round of the NBA 2K Players Tournament on Sunday.

It might only be the opening round, but Booker and Porter pulled out the heavy hitters. Booker selected the reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee Bucks, while Porter countered with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Booker provided a candid reaction when pressed to pick his current squad:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Devin Booker wasn't trying to pick the Suns in @NBA2K ๐Ÿ˜‚ https://t.co/rzrsoGmE3k

The 2020 All-Star took his duties very seriously while controlling the NBA's best team:

NBA 2K20 @NBA2K

.@DevinBook really out here callin plays ๐Ÿ“ #NBA2KTourney https://t.co/K4Bifin7rC

Booker established an early advantage and wasted little time dishing out the trash talk:

NBA 2K20 @NBA2K

Book talking that noise ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ๐Ÿ”Š #NBA2KTourney https://t.co/xFeRb1cryg

The competitors at least took some time to put their hostilities aside to check in and see how things are going amid the NBA's hiatus:

NBA @NBA

๐ŸŽฎ @NBA2K Players Tournament ๐ŸŽฎ @DevinBook & @MPJr take a timeout to discuss how they're spending their time at home. #NBA2KTourney on ESPN2 https://t.co/pr9IuU4dYG

The game was never too far out of reach for Porter, yet he failed to string enough defensive stops together to erase Booker's lead. He cut the deficit to three points before Booker responded with a pair of free throws by Antetokounmpo and a three-pointer from Kyle Korver to make it an eight-point game.

NBA 2K20 @NBA2K

.@DevinBook hits a clutch one @MPJr answers right back #NBA2KTourney https://t.co/jD6NwNj6rs

Booker will play Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura in the second round. Hachimura narrowly edged out a victory over Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, with their game going down to the buzzer.