Devin Booker’s history in elimination games keeps doubt lingering in Phoenix

In four career elimination games since 2021, Booker has averaged 22.8 points on 37.6% shooting — a noticeable drop from his typical postseason production of 28.0 points on 48.6% shooting, according to Statmuse. Those games include 19 points in the 2021 Finals loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, 11 points in a Game 7 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks in 2022, and 12 points in a 2023 elimination loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Fans also point to the context surrounding those games — heavy defensive pressure and underperformance from teammates that placed a larger burden on Booker. In several cases, the Suns fell behind early or lacked secondary scoring, allowing opposing defenses to focus almost entirely on him.

There is one outlier.

Against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024, Booker delivered one of the best games of his career — 49 points on 61.9% shooting, along with five rebounds and six assists. For many fans, that performance reinforces the belief that Booker can rise to the moment.

Others, however, see inconsistency.

They argue that these matchups define legacies. In their view, Booker’s recent track record hasn’t matched the standard set by other top-tier stars. The drop in efficiency in multiple closeout scenarios is difficult to ignore.

That’s why the Booker debate keeps coming up every postseason — but it’s also about context and timing. Booker has shown he can deliver at the highest level, but his elimination-game sample remains uneven enough to keep attention on his performance in those moments. With Phoenix once again facing a win-or-go-home scenario, that focus only intensifies.

What comes next will matter more than anything he’s done this season. This elimination game isn’t just about extending the Suns’ season for Booker, but also a chance to reshape the narrative — for better or worse.

The Suns take on the Golden State Warriors for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference on Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m.