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His right foot in an ice bucket, his right shin bleeding from a floor burn, and his left thigh occupied by his son Jackson, Trevor Booker looked like a man who put in a full night of work.
The normal backup power forward for the Utah Jazz, Booker found out before Utah's 101-87 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena that starter Derrick Favors wouldn't play on Saturday night due to personal reasons.
So Booker went from his usual 19 minutes per game to being the primary defender against superstar Anthony Davis. But the Jazz [8-7] signed him for moments like that, and he delivered to the tune of 15 rebounds and 13 points.
"I knew that with Derrick out the team was going to need someone to step up and that's what I tried to do," Booker said. "That's how I play. I just try to play hard and I try to bring the energy and just let everyone else take the lead."
Davis was sensational with 36 points and 17 rebounds, but Booker was instrumental to Utah's eighth win of the season. He shot 5-of-8 from the field, and was everywhere defensively, recording three blocked shots and two steals. The 15 rebounds was a game-high, and he was seen diving into the stands on multiple occasions. His scoring output tied a season high and led everyone with a plus-21 for the game.
Booker provided a physical presence when his team needed it. He provided defense in the absence of Favors and he did so in a season-high 38 minutes. The Jazz have historically struggled without Favors in the lineup, so Booker's best game of the season was what Utah needed.
"I've talked a lot about sometimes the game feels good, sometimes it's harder, it can be disjointed," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "Trevor's been due a night like this. He got into the flow of the game, and the game slowed down a little bit for him. The scoring portion aside, what he gives us defensively and on the glass and his emotion and his intensity, that's what our team needs. I don't care if he scores a point. If he comes into the game and gives us that, our team will score points."
The key to Saturday night for the Jazz was their depth, as opposed to New Orleans. Utah was led by Alec Burks, who came off the bench for 21 points, including several big plays down the stretch when the Pelicans were fighting their way into the game.
Gordon Hayward scored 17 points, Rodney Hood scored 16 points and Booker had his 13. Rudy Gobert grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked four shots, all of which underscores Utah's team approach.
Davis was unstoppable, but he had no help. Point guard Ish Smith scored 13, but he was Davis' only teammate who reached double-figures.
"It can't be done by one guy," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "I don't know of a team in the league that's been able to do that. Even the great teams all have other guys that contribute and do things to help you win."
The Jazz led by as many as 21 points and never trailed. Still, this was a close game down the stretch, as New Orleans pulled within 90-84 and had the ball with a little over four minutes remaining.
But Hayward hit a running bank shot, and Hood hit two free-throws on consecutive possessions to put the Pelicans away for good.
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