Devin Booker has concerning take on the Suns

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Devin Booker has concerning take on the Suns

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Oct 25, 2026 2:28 PM ET

Devin Booker certainly does not sound thrilled about the state of the Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup at the moment.

Booker went out of his way to praise the Suns’ second unit following their 131-122 win over the Golden State Warriors at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz. The Suns guard suggested that the starting lineup had to learn from the reserves, because the backups have the better chemistry right now.

“I’d say right now they have more of a chemistry than our first group, and I think typically that’s how teams are. You play against those guys every day in practice, and they know each other like white on rice,” Booker said. “As the first unit, we need to learn from them in a way, and the type that they play: everybody sacrifices in those groups, and you see the result that you get out of it.”

I asked Devin Booker about the bench unit, their chemistry, and how their energy got him going. "I’d say right now they have more of a chemistry than our first group, and I think typically that’s how teams are. You play against those guys every day in practice, and they know each other like white on rice. I’ve been guarding Collin (Gillespie) and Oso (Ighodaro), and having Goody picked me up for a long time now. "I know how special players they are, and every time we can share the court together, I always enjoy that. You can feel the crowd get involved. The ball is hopping around, and the defense is at a high level. As the first unit, we need to learn from them in a way, and the type that they play: everybody sacrifices in those groups, and you see the result that you get out of it."
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) October 25, 2026

Though Booker acknowledges this situation is not necessarily unusual, it is fair to wonder if he is sending a message here. Reserves Luke Kennard and Collin Gillespie were +15 and +16, respectively, while even Booker was only a +2 despite scoring 43 points.

Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green are all returning for the Suns, but they are trying to work Miles Bridges into the lineup after an offseason trade. Naturally, there will be some growing pains there, but they can at least count on their second unit to hold down the fort.

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