As the new year begins, it’s clear that Devin Booker really shines for the Phoenix Suns. This time of year seems to spark a remarkable transformation in his game.
PHOENIX — "As the season progresses, I find myself becoming more at ease on the court, and our team collectively starts to figure things out. That's the way it should be—continuously improving as we go along, and I genuinely believe we have made significant strides in various areas,” Booker remarked after delivering an impressive performance.
Something magical happens when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve; it’s as if a switch flips inside Booker, propelling him into an extraordinary level of play for the Suns. After a few inconsistent weeks, he returned to form with an outstanding 33 points in just 28 minutes during Friday’s commanding 129-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
His statistics reveal a fascinating pattern: once January arrives, Booker’s performance reaches new heights. Analyzing his monthly scoring averages from October through April reveals this trend clearly: 24.6, 22.6, 21.9, 25.9, 24.2, 26.9, and 25.4 points per game—January stands out with an average of 25.9. Typically, discussions arise during November and December questioning whether Booker’s performance aligns with his usual high standards, a narrative that continues to recur each season, including the current 2025-26 campaign.
Interestingly, he had been somewhat below par in first quarters earlier this season, a period where he usually sets the tone for the game. Coming into the match against Sacramento, his highest first-quarter score was only 12 points, but he surpassed that significantly by scoring 20 points on Friday, marking his most productive first quarter since April 2024.
Adding to his remarkable performance, Booker scored 7 additional points in the second quarter, bringing his first-half total to 27, which is his best showing since November 2024, according to Stathead (https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/quarterfinder.cgi?request=1&playerid=bookede01&orderbyasc=0&orderby=pts&yearmin=2025&ptype=H&period_h%5B%5D=1).
The Suns (20-14) needed every bit of this offensive explosion, especially considering they had shown signs of struggling defensively during a challenging stretch of their schedule. Over the last five games, their defensive cohesion had taken a hit. This trend continued against a struggling Kings team (8-27) that was missing key players Zach LaVine (left ankle sprain) and Domantas Sabonis (partial left meniscus tear).
Defensive lapses were particularly evident in transition plays, as the Kings found themselves with far too many easy scoring opportunities, which was concerning for the Suns. Head coach Jordan Ott expressed his discontent with the team's pick-and-roll defense from the outset, stating, "We can’t allow them to feel comfortable reaching any spot they want on the floor. The start was not acceptable." He noted some improvements in the second quarter but emphasized that it was more about the team's defensive intent rather than a change in strategy.
At halftime, the Suns held a six-point lead, and while their defense showed some improvement after the break, it wasn’t immediately apparent. Instead, they surged offensively, hitting 10 of their first 16 shots in the third quarter, expanding their lead to 18 points as the game progressed.
From there, the focus shifted to maintaining a safe lead until the Kings lost interest in making a comeback—an understandable reaction given their struggles and the fatigue of being in the second game of a back-to-back set while playing five games in just seven nights.
The Suns managed to keep their lead in double digits throughout the final quarter, ensuring they secured the win comfortably.
Collin Gillespie's reliable scoring has been crucial for the Suns as they cope with a depleted roster. His consistent performance continued with 15 points on Friday, marking his eighth consecutive game scoring at least that many. Dillon Brooks contributed 18 points, while centers Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro each added 15 points. Ighodaro also showcased his defensive skills with two steals and two blocks, demonstrating his best form of the season.
Despite persistent defensive challenges, Phoenix still managed to force 21 turnovers from the Kings, which is a positive sign, indicating that they can capitalize on mistakes even when their own defensive efforts aren’t up to par.
Grayson Allen remained sidelined for the eighth consecutive game due to right knee injury management but participated in 5-on-5 drills on Thursday, suggesting he is nearing a return. Meanwhile, Jalen Green will undergo re-evaluation for his right hamstring strain on Monday, keeping fans hopeful.
With six victories in their last eight outings, the Suns are bolstered as they face another tough stretch ahead. Their schedule features demanding back-to-back matchups with Oklahoma City and Houston starting Sunday, followed by encounters against formidable teams from the East like Detroit, Miami, and New York, alongside a rematch against Atlanta and Cleveland—teams they have already faced and lost to this season.
