The Phoenix Suns’ dreamy seven-game winning streak came to a crashing halt as they suffered their first home loss in an overtime thriller against the Sacramento Kings. To make matters worse, Kevin Durant, their newly minted star, is out for two weeks, a blow that might be the tipping point in what’s quickly becoming a season of survival.
In a game that felt like the Suns’ to lose, the Kings handed Phoenix a lifeline in the final seconds by fouling on an inbound pass. Devin Booker took full advantage, sinking a free throw to tie the game. With only 3.9 seconds left, the Suns retained possession, setting the stage for Booker to potentially clinch the win. He had a clean look at a 3-pointer from the right corner as the buzzer sounded, but heartbreakingly, the ball rimmed out. A missed opportunity, and a testament to just how close Phoenix came to extending their streak.
Booker, coming back from illness, was visibly drained. Still, he put up a strong performance, clocking 43 minutes on the court and recording 23 points, 12 assists, and a rebound. But this is the dilemma now facing head coach Mike Budenholzer: With Durant out and Booker giving it his all, can he continue to push Booker to carry this team?
“Yeah, I think he’s had a tough couple of days,” Budenholzer said after the game. “I’ve gotta find a way to give him a break, get him his rest even when he’s healthy, and keep him ready to finish. But he’s a fighter, he’s a competitor. He wants to play every minute.”
The Suns’ three superstars—Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal—played just 18 games together last season due to injuries, and this season is already feeling eerily similar. Beal has also been nursing injuries, leaving Phoenix in a precarious spot. Booker and Beal are now burdened with a heavier scoring load, and the question looms large: Can they carry the weight without risking further injuries? And, perhaps more pressing, is this a season already slipping out of Phoenix’s grasp?
The upcoming games will be a test of resilience for the Suns. Without Durant, Phoenix’s playoff ambitions rest on Booker and Beal’s shoulders. They’re fighters, no doubt—but is it enough to keep the Suns’ hopes alive?
