The Phoenix Suns needed a win. Instead, they got another brutal loss, falling 107-96 to a shorthanded Lakers squad.
Devin Booker had a quiet night by his standards—just 19 points, with only one shot attempt in the third quarter. But head coach Mike Budenholzer wasn’t having any of the criticism, backing Booker’s playmaking over shot attempts.
Budenholzer Defends Devin Booker’s Performance After Off-Scoring Night
It will raise some eyebrows when your team is fighting to stay in the playoff race and one of your best scorers takes just one shot in a quarter.
But Budenholzer? Surprisingly, he’s not worried. Instead of criticizing or focusing on Booker’s lack of scoring, he praised him. He gave props to Booker for his ability to facilitate and get teammates involved.
Mike Budenholzer on Devin Booker, who took just one shot in the 3rd quarter of Suns loss.
"I think he's been playmaking. Friday night (13 assists), again tonight (11 assists). I feel like he's getting to some spots and creating some great looks for us. Offensively, I think we…
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 17, 2025
“I think he’s been playmaking. Friday night (13 assists), again tonight (11 assists). I feel like he’s getting to some spots and creating some great looks for us,” Budenholzer said postgame. “Without having watched the film, I’m actually very happy with the way he passed, the way he played. I don’t think it’s necessarily about his shot attempts.”
Sure, playmaking is essential, but when your team struggles night in and night out, maybe it’s time for your star scorers to take over.
Let’s not forget that Booker is one of the most lethal shot-makers in the game. The Suns desperately needed him to charge at full speed. Instead, the Lakers outscored Phoenix 30-18 in the third, and the game slipped away.
Another Setback as Suns’ Playoff Hopes Take a Hit
It’s been an exhausting season for the Suns, and this latest loss only adds to the frustration. Phoenix sits at 11th in the West with 31-37. They are not even in the picture for the Play-In tournament. The margin for error is at its thinnest, with just 14 games left.
Kevin Durant did his part. He tried his heart out with 21 points and nine rebounds. But there was nobody for him to tag. The rest of the Suns squad tried with Ryan Dunn’s 13, Nick Richards added 11, and Royce O’Neale chipped in 10. But it was simply not enough to tackle the monster L.A.
Meanwhile, the Lakers played without big names like LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, but L.A. still managed to dominate. Luka Dončić was on fire with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Austin Reaves also stepped up to the plate with 28 points.
For the Suns, it’s a knockout situation. They’ll return home to face the Toronto Raptors, hoping to turn things around. But Phoenix might be looking at an early vacation unless Booker shifts from playmaker to full-on bucket-getter.