Devin Booker putting in extra time for Suns

Devin Booker played a career-high 46 minutes in when the Phoenix Suns lost to Utah Monday night, and it had little to do with the team's personnel situation.

"It’s more of just who he’s going to be in our league,'' said coach Earl Watson, who was without three players because of injury or illness. "He’s a player who needs to play most of the game. He’s young. He can recover quickly and he’s playing great, so he needs to be on the court more."

Booker is averaging 38.6 minutes in seven games this month, up significantly from the season's first three months. In three October games, the second-year guard averaged 32.3 minutes. In November and December, he averaged 33.6 and 32.9 minutes, respectively.

Booker doesn't mind the extra time.

"We were playing at a high altitude (last week) in Mexico City, so honestly, (Monday night) I wasn’t even tired at all,'' he said. "Somebody told me after the game I played (46) minutes. I didn’t even notice, but I feel fine out there so I’m cool with it."

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Booker is playing the best basketball of his NBA career. Over Phoenix's past six games, he's averaged 30 points, shooting 53.2% from the field, 54.5% from 3-point range and 85.7% from the foul line. Over his past three, he's put up 24.7 points in the second half alone.

Booker isn't cutting back on his court time nor is he cutting corners in other areas.

"Just taking care of my body more,'' he said. "Cold tub, treatments, stretching, eating right.  Anything I try to do, but I have to focus on it a little bit more right now."