Game Recap: Booker goes AWOL as Suns fall 125-114 to Thunder

Oklahoma City was missing recently injured star or near-star players in Jaylen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace. Most knowledgeable fans expected an uphill battle for Phoenix, as the Thunder still possess loads of talent, size, and culture. Our preview predicted an 8-point loss, with improvements in our early-season process issues, such as ball movement and boxing out glass-crashers. This was happening, until it wasn’t. The Thunder pulled away for a 125-114 victory.

Sadly, the main storyline is Devin Booker’s milk carton-level disappearance. Your superstar-paid player needs to assert himself in a game like this. Not just another “one of 82”, but a fork-in-the-road type game for a team finding its footing. According to Google Sports Data, his 3 points in 33 minutes is a career low for games over 30 minutes. Anyone could have a rough shooting night, but winning star players force the action, and he never seemed to attempt this. It was a big letdown after the 43-point game Saturday.   

Phoenix moved the ball slightly better, getting up 50 three-point shots and connecting on 36% of them. After a promising start at this, the Suns allowed 29% of the Thunder’s missed shots to be rebounded by them (2% worse than league average). Current lack of center depth with Mark Williams out definitely played a role in this.

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Khaman Maluach is going through growing pains, but taking some developmental baby steps. Of the rotation players, he had a team-best -2 plus/minus. Miles Bridges demonstrated his varied offensive skills in the second half, but his overall defensive play and cold first half were an overall negative. Jalen Green actually looked somewhat under control and had 4 assists to one turnover while producing 20 points on an efficient 8-13 shooting.  

The Suns had a few spurts in this game, but every time they got some momentum, drives to the basket by the Thunder came about as easy as a Sunday 5 am drive down the 202.

The Suns have four days to use as a “get well retreat” ahead of NBA Cup play.  

Game Flow

First Half

Through how many centers have broadcast listeners heard Eddie Johnson say “keep…

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Publish date : 2026-10-27 03:34:00

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