Falling Short? Assessing the Current Level of the NBA's Top Shooting Guard, Devin Booker

The Phoenix Suns’ seven-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt with a tough 118-127 loss to the Sacramento Kings, ending their hot start to the season with an 8-2 record. What’s more, this loss came during Kevin Durant's first missed game of the season. The Suns still lead the Western Conference, thanks to an equally difficult night for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also dropped their game. However, there’s no question this Suns team has reason for concern moving forward, given the critical role Durant has played in their success thus far.

Durant has been an absolute cornerstone for Phoenix, averaging an incredible 38.8 minutes per game—second-highest in the league—while contributing 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. His true shooting percentage stands at an elite 67.0%, and his performance in clutch moments (within five points in the final five minutes) has been outstanding, going 12-for-19 for 35 points in these key minutes, the highest in the league. This near-unwavering reliability in late-game situations has been essential, leading the Suns to a perfect 7-0 record in clutch games when Durant is on the court.

But without Durant, the Suns’ limitations became clear, especially in the fourth quarter and overtime against the Kings. Phoenix opened the final period with an 11-point lead, their largest of the game, and even held a 5-point lead with just over three minutes to go. With 52 seconds remaining, they clung to a narrow 3-point edge. Yet, a string of missed shots from Devin Booker—typically the Suns' go-to shooting guard—allowed Sacramento to claw back. After DeMar DeRozan sank a mid-range shot and Keegan Murray followed up with a critical putback, the Kings held a 1-point lead with mere seconds remaining. Although Booker’s free throw tied the game, his final shot at a game-winning three-pointer fell short, sending the game into overtime. In OT, the Kings surged, outscoring the Suns 16-7, and ultimately snatched away Phoenix’s win streak.

This loss alone doesn’t necessarily reflect poorly on the Suns; the Kings are a strong team led by clutch players in DeRozan and De'Aaron Fox. But it highlighted concerns about Booker's current performance. Statistically, Booker’s night wasn’t terrible—he logged 43 minutes, scoring 23 points on 9-for-22 shooting, along with 12 assists and two steals. But in the final quarter and overtime, Booker’s shooting faltered, going just 3-for-8 in the fourth and missing both of his shots in OT. This inconsistent showing adds to a pattern this season, with Booker’s scoring output and efficiency dropping compared to previous years.

As of now, Booker has appeared in ten games, averaging 37.3 minutes, 23.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. While he remains a capable playmaker, with a career-high assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.84, his scoring average has dipped below 25 points for the first time since his sophomore year. His shooting percentages have also declined: he’s hitting 42.6% from the field, 32.1% from beyond the arc, and 88.7% from the free-throw line, resulting in a true shooting percentage of 56.8%, down from 61.1% last season.

Booker's scoring efficiency has become a point of contention, especially considering his recent standout performances on the international stage. Just a few months ago, he excelled at the Tokyo Olympics as a "super 3-and-D" player alongside stars like Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard, helping Team USA secure gold. But the NBA presents a tougher arena. Unlike his role with Team USA, where he primarily served as a catch-and-shoot option, Booker is tasked with shouldering a much heavier load in Phoenix, particularly in scoring. His decreased efficiency has led some to question if Booker is having trouble adjusting to his role alongside Durant and newcomer Jordan Goodwin, a true point guard whom Phoenix brought in to manage the offense and reduce Booker's playmaking responsibilities.

It’s worth noting that Booker’s decline in scoring output and efficiency isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, given that he has previously shown remarkable growth in his six seasons of averaging over 25 points. In 2021, he helped lead the Suns to their first Finals appearance since 1993, followed by a franchise-best record and an All-NBA First Team selection the next year. Even as Phoenix was knocked out in the second round last season, Booker delivered an astounding 33.7 points per game in the playoffs, shooting 58.5% from the field and 50.8% from three-point range. These playoff heroics solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top shooting guards. But this season’s early returns have shown a noticeable drop in his scoring dominance.

There’s speculation that Durant’s presence has somewhat overshadowed Booker, perhaps affecting his rhythm or confidence. Durant, whose scoring threat draws defenses away, might have been expected to open up opportunities for Booker. Instead, it seems Booker’s role and play style have become less clear. Given Durant’s projected absence over the next few weeks, however, this period provides an opportunity for Booker to reassert himself as Phoenix’s primary scorer. In fact, without Durant, there may be an implicit call for Booker to embrace a more assertive offensive mindset—one that’s consistent with his past contributions as an All-NBA guard.

After all, as Booker leads the Suns through the remainder of Durant’s absence, it may well be his time to step up and remind the league why he’s regarded as one of its best shooting guards. He’ll be asked not only to boost his scoring output but to elevate his efficiency, particularly in crucial moments. If he can bring back the kind of late-game effectiveness that Durant has showcased so far, Booker will reinforce Phoenix’s standing as a legitimate contender even amid injury setbacks.

With so many Western Conference teams facing their own struggles and health issues—such as the Thunder, Warriors, and Nuggets—the Suns still have a shot at holding onto their lead if Booker rises to the occasion. A strong showing from him in the coming games would not only bolster Phoenix’s record but would also serve as a statement of his resilience and ability to carry a title-contending team, even in challenging times. For now, Suns fans await with cautious optimism, hoping to see Booker reaffirm his status as the league’s top shooting guard and remind the world just what makes him such a unique talent on the hardwood.