Game Recap: Booker drops 31 in 120-112 NBA Cup win for the Suns

Would we have liked to see that point differential a bit higher? Sure. But a win is a win.

The Phoenix Suns opened up a four-game road trip, as well as their NBA Cup schedule, on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz. It was a 120-112 win for Phoenix, who now moves to 9-2 on the year.

Devin Booker looked rejuvenated and in peak form, leading the Suns with 31 points on an efficient 11-of-20 shooting. His offensive prowess was complemented by 4 assists, showcasing his ability to facilitate and keep teammates involved, along with 2 rebounds to round out his contributions. Bradley Beal provided a strong secondary scoring punch with 24 points, attacking the defense with his signature mid-range game and slashing drives. Off the bench, Grayson Allen was impactful, adding 15 points and injecting energy and perimeter shooting when it was needed most.

For the Jazz, John Collins emerged as their go-to player, pouring in 29 points and keeping them competitive throughout. His scoring came through a mix of strong post-ups and timely three-point shooting, making him a challenging cover for Phoenix’s defense.

The +8 point differential in this game holds added significance due to its impact on the NBA Cup standings, where point differential serves as a critical tiebreaker. With the Suns winning by a narrower margin than they might have hoped, it will be intriguing to see how other Group B teams — the Lakers, Thunder, and Spurs — handle their matchups against the Jazz and what kind of point differentials they can achieve. These results could play a pivotal role in determining standings as the tournament progresses, adding an extra layer of strategy and importance to each game.

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Game Flow

First Half

The night started with the news that Jusuf Nurkic, who didn’t play in the second half against the Kings, would be out for the game. The Suns would be down two-fifths of their starting lineup. Mason Plumlee got the starting nod, and to counter, the Jazz went with Lauri Markkenan at the five.

The Jazz’s small-ball strategy struggled to deliver immediate results, as their five-out offense fell short of expectations. Starting 2-of-8 from beyond the arc only compounded their difficulties. With Walker Kessler sidelined, the lane was left wide open, giving Phoenix plenty of opportunities to exploit. The Suns took full advantage, attacking the rim early and racking up 12 points in the paint during the first quarter.

There was no need to worry about Devin Booker, who scored 9 points for Phoenix in the first 10 minutes of the game, including a nifty steal-to-transition-three-pointer.

Utah, known for struggling with turnovers, stayed true to form in the first quarter, giving the ball away four times and allowing the Suns to capitalize with 5 points.

Bradley Beal, whose status was uncertain after DeMar DeRozan fell on his knee during Sunday’s overtime, showed no signs of injury. He looked energetic and sharp, matching Booker’s 9 points in the opening quarter while grabbing a couple of rebounds in the process.

The Suns outshot the Jazz 54.6% to 42.9% in the first and led 33-21 after one.

Jordan Clarkson entered the game in the second and provided instant offense for Utah, nailing a pair of three-pointers. It was a 7-0 run for the Jazz to open the quarter.

Oso Ighodaro made an immediate impact upon entering the game, quickly securing 7 rebounds and dominating the boards. Monte Morris, who hadn’t seen playing time recently, stepped in due to depth issues and made an instant difference. He orchestrated a 12-0 run for Phoenix, contributing 5 points and an assist. The Suns surged with a 6-of-9 shooting start, all while Devin Booker was resting on the bench.

It was a block party for Phoenix and everyone was getting in on the fun. The Suns as they swatted 10 shots. Oso had 3. Booker had 2. Beal had 1. Royce had 3.

The team showcased seamless ball movement in the first half, with contributions coming from every player on the floor. It was a display of beautiful, unselfish basketball, as everyone who saw minutes in the first half found their way onto the scoreboard. Beal led the Suns in scoring with 13 points, closely followed by Booker with 12. On the Jazz side, John Collins matched Beal’s total with 13 points of his own.

At the half, Suns 64, Jazz 49.

Second Half

The Jazz, led by John Collins, opened the third quarter with a 13-10 run as they tried to climb back into the game. However, their momentum was halted by Mason Plumlee’s steady performance, as he notched a double-double just minutes into the half.

The Jazz stayed competitive through their relentless offensive rebounding, a concern I highlighted in my preview. Second-chance points can keep teams in games when they otherwise wouldn’t be, and Utah used them effectively to cut the deficit to just 6 points midway through the quarter.

Phoenix responded by tightening their defense late in the third, regaining control. Grayson Allen provided a spark by sinking two three-pointers, bringing his total to 15 points and stretching the Suns’ lead back to 12. The Suns capped the quarter with an 11-9 run, heading into the fourth with an 87-79 advantage. Utah outscored Phoenix 30-23 in the third.

The fourth quarter seemed poised to start like the second and third before it—with the opposing team going on a run. It’s a recurring issue this season and might warrant a deeper dive in an upcoming piece. However, Bradley Beal stepped up and shifted the momentum, extending the lead to 13 points with a quick five-point burst.

With the team’s depth at center compromised by Steve’s injury, Oso Ighodaro stepped up and delivered an active performance. It was great to see the rookie get extended minutes, as he continues to make impactful, winning plays. He wrapped up the night with 6 points and 12 rebounds in 17 minutes of play. Although still raw, his talent is evident.

Devin Booker found his rhythm in the fourth, hitting a pair of three-pointers to extend Phoenix’s lead. However, Utah refused to back down, keeping the game close midway through the quarter. Point differential holds significant weight in the NBA Cup, and with Utah being the weakest team in the group, this was a prime opportunity for Phoenix to boost their differential, which can serve as a tiebreaker in the tournament.

Booker continued to shine in the fourth quarter, showing he was back to form with his scoring and playmaking. His vision was on full display as he set up teammates, including Ryan Dunn, for timely three-pointers.

Phoenix secured a 120-112 victory, though their point differential wasn’t as large as they might have hoped. Jordan Clarkson’s two late three-pointers cut into the lead, resulting in an eight-point win for the Suns.

Nonetheless, the Suns are now 9-2, and a win is a win!

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No rest for the weary as the Phoenix Suns take on the Sacramento Kings tomorrow night in California’s capital. We’ll see you then, Bright Side!