Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is widely regarded as one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA. He's a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree who has averaged at least 25.6 points per game in each of the past eight seasons.
Unfortunately, Booker has trended in the wrong direction through his first two playoff games in 2026. Thankfully, that's created a clear path to competing with the Thunder: Having the franchise player assert himself more on offense.
Booker attempted 17 field goals in 33 minutes during a 119-84 decimation at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 1 of the Suns' first-round series. That was far from egregious, particularly when one considers that Oklahoma City won by 35 points.
During Game 2, however, Booker attempted just 14 field goals in 40 minutes—and ranked third on the Suns in field goal attempts.
Oklahoma City admittedly led 100-77 entering the fourth quarter, but it was 65-57 at halftime. As such, one can't help but wonder why the best scorer on the roster was relatively quiet from a scoring perspective when his team needed him to take over.
Dillon Brooks had a strong scoring game and Jalen Green had played well during the postseason up until Game 2, but Phoenix needs Booker to be far more assertive if it hopes to upset the Thunder.
Suns need Devin Booker to be more aggressive as a scorer
Brooks finished Game 2 with 30 points on 23 field goal attempts, while Green tallied 21 points on 23 shots. Booker, meanwhile, had 22 points on 14 shots, converting seven of his attempts and getting to the free throw line for 10 tries—splitting an even five across the two halves.
Unfortunately, with eight field goal attempts and as many turnovers as assists during the second half, Booker failed to deliver what Phoenix needed from him.
That's a relatively alarming fact when one considers that Booker attempted 18.7 field goals and 8.1 free throws per game during the regular season. In other words: getting to the line on a consistent basis isn't actually anything new, which therefore means it doesn't quite excuse his lackluster volume from the field.
Booker clearly has a tall task in front of him with some of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA being thrown his way, but the superstar burden is finding a way to make it work when others couldn't hope to.
With Booker playing a somewhat passive style as a scorer, the Suns have scored a combined 191 points through two games against the Thunder. Even the 107 they mustered in Game 2 was nearly six points below their season average of 112.6 points per game—a low figure already at No. 26 in the NBA.
Booker alone may not be able to win this series, but the Suns won't have a chance if their franchise player doesn't become more aggresive as a scorer.
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