The 2024-25 NBA season hasn’t gone according to plan for the Phoenix Suns. With the team finally anticipating a healthy season from its three stars, the results haven’t matched their expectations. With a sub-.500 record, the Suns remain far from the NBA play-in tournament, let alone the playoffs itself.
Simultaneously, rumors about potential trades for their superstars were constantly making the rounds around the trade deadline. While none came to pass, it did lead to a reported fracture in the locker room. But after notching a hard-fought win against the Chicago Bulls, Devin Booker had a simple message for Phoenix’s mentality going forward.
Devin Booker Outlines Key to Suns’ Success
Fleeting injuries to all three of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Booker haven’t allowed them to function as a cohesive unit for much of the season. But Suns fans got a taste of what that could look like when firing on all cylinders.
In a come-from-behind over the Bulls, the trio combined for 81 points to snap a four-game losing streak and win their first game in February with all three on the court. After the game, reporters caught up with Booker in the locker room, who detailed the secret to their success. To him, the availability of all three is what made the team fire on all cylinders.
“I liked it. A lot of threats out there, a lot of scoring options, and just defending at a high level. Versatility on the defensive end, so it’s a good look tonight.”
"I like it. A lot of threats out there, a lot of scoring options and just defending at a high level."
Devin Booker on Bradley Beal back in starting lineup as Suns edge Bulls, 121-117.
Booker scored a game-high 29 points to go with 8 assists.
"The communication was higher than… pic.twitter.com/UE8tPsUEyW
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 23, 2025
The defense had to be especially tight after Chicago built an early 10-point lead in the first quarter. However, after shooting under 30% from the field in the period, the Suns were able to rally and build open the lead.
Late in the game, it was tied before a Booker 3 put the Suns up. Yet, when Coby White responded for Chicago, it was an assist from the Suns lifer to Beal that put the game away.
After losing four straight and falling three games below .500 coming into the game, Booker was clear on the importance of the win.
“Every win is important at this point. But we’re not gonna get too happy with it. We still have a lot of work to do for the rest of the season, lot of business to handle, so it’s a good step in the right direction.”
With that in mind, the agenda was simple and the four-time All-Star had a clear plan to make the team achieve its goal. “We just have to continue to stick together. There’s gonna be ups and downs throughout the whole game, and we can’t overlook any team in this league, regardless of record.”
Right after the trade deadline, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the Suns locker room was “toxic” following a window where multiple rumors about a Durant trade existed, and one was even agreed upon before being nixed by the two-time champion himself.
The former Golden State Warrior was quick to refute those claims and the way they handled business on the road makes it feel like any possible issues have been fixed. For the rest of the season, the mindset is simple.
“We just gotta keep finding ways to get dubs.”
