The Phoenix Suns‘ current challenge is the injuries to Devin Booker and Jalen Green. On Sunday, the two backcourt stars were not in the lineup. resulting in a 111-102 loss. Without their best player, the team didn’t have a go-to scorer, leading the Heat to focus on preventing Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks.
Allen finished the game with 18 points and six rebounds. He was only 1-for-11 from downtown, though, as he had trouble shooting the basketball. Brooks, on the other hand, led the team with 26 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Unlike the former Duke star, the Canadian forward had a respectable performance shooting the basketball, shooting 47.8% of his attempts.
Coach Jordan Ott revealed that not having Booker exposed their weakness on the offensive end. His gravity tends to rupture the opposing team’s defensive strategies.
“He’s able to create that first domino so many times and make the right play,” Ott said after the loss. “Talked about it all year, his ability to get off of it at the perfect time. Have a feel for the game, have a feel for his teammates, is unmatched and unlike anything like I’ve been around. Without him out there, their ability to switch really affected us.”
Jordan Ott shared with @DuaneRankin the magnitude Devin Booker has on the offense.
“He's able to create that first domino so many times and make the right play. Talked about it all year, his ability to get off of it at the perfect time. Have a feel for the game, have a feel for… pic.twitter.com/neOJW9m4Ig
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) January 26, 2026
Ott isn’t the only one in Phoenix who knows the gravity Devin Booker demands from opposing teams.
Grayson Allen speaks on the magnitude that Devin Booker commands for the Suns
Allen tried his best to take control of the game without Devin Booker. But it wasn’t the same as he struggled to make shots. After the contest, he had high praise for what the former Kentucky star can bring to their offense.
“I’m pretty sure we’ve had a good bit with it. Like the halfcourt pace that I’m talking about. Having a guy that can get downhill and put pressure on the paint and collapse the defense will be good for us not only getting rim attempts, getting downhill, but creating some looks for other guys, too, that are a little bit easier,” Allen said.
Depending on the result of his re-evaluation, Booker could return on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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