Suns Star Devin Booker On Narrow Loss to Magic And Late Game Issues – ‘It Feels Like It’s a New 5 Out There’

The Phoenix Suns got a reinforcement back as Dillon Brooks rejoined Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and the rest of the team, hoping to finish the regular season on a strong note. However, things did not go their way, especially late in the game.

The Suns fell to the struggling Orlando Magic, 111–115, dampening their hopes of securing an automatic playoff spot. They no longer have a chance to claim the sixth seed, as they now trail the Minnesota Timberwolves by 4.5 games.

The Suns trailed by 14 at halftime but made a huge run in the third quarter to tie the game at 94-all entering the fourth.

It was a see-saw battle from there. The Suns grabbed the lead on the first possession with a dunk by Rasheer Fleming, but the Magic quickly took it back. The two teams then took turns in the driver’s seat.
The fourth quarter turned into a defensive battle. The Magic led by just one point, 109–108, with 2:59 remaining. This is where the Suns’ execution problems began.

Royce O’Neale was called for an offensive foul on the next possession, and Grayson Allen committed a defensive foul shortly after, leading to two free throws for Jalen Suggs. The Suns committed another turnover with 1:35 left. Although the Magic failed to capitalize, the Suns also came up empty on their next possession.

The Magic extended their lead to 113–108 at the 13-second mark. Booker made a three-pointer to cut the deficit to two, but the Suns ran out of time and settled for a 111–115 loss.

Booker finished with 34 points but their other supposed scorer, Green, managed just eight points.

Devin Booker talks about familiarity

The Suns fought back to give themselves a chance against the desperate Magic, but in the end, they came up short.

Booker believes they could have won the game but pointed to a lack of familiarity, partly due to injuries.