The Phoenix Suns opened their Western Conference first-round series with a 119-84 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday at Paycom Center. The defeat was defined by turnovers, transition swings, and second-chance scoring.
Devin Booker emphasized the importance of the upcoming adjustment window after the loss. “Yeah, I think we have obviously some things to learn from. We have some film,” Booker said. “Definitely different than the regular season matchups. We’re both majority healthy. So spend these next few days breaking down film and see where we can be better.”
The Suns struggled with possession control, finishing with 18 turnovers in a game that Oklahoma City converted into steady scoring runs. Booker pointed directly to that issue. “Yeah, we need to get a shot on goal,” he said. “I think we had 19 turnovers, 18 turnovers, and they had 19 offensive boards, too. So that’s a recipe for disaster for us.”
Oklahoma City’s defensive attention on Booker and Phoenix’s primary actions also shaped the night. Booker acknowledged the Thunder’s coverage on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and how it opened opportunities elsewhere. “We loaded up on Shai tonight. Showed him a lot of bodies and he was able to create opportunities for his teammates, too,” he said.
The Suns also had to deal with the physical identity of the defending champions. Booker noted the consistency of Oklahoma City’s approach. “They’re the champs for a reason,” he said. “They feel like this is the time of the year and they’re trying to go for it again. So we just have to stay composed.”
Phoenix’s offensive rhythm broke down as possessions extended and decision-making slowed. Booker pointed to how turnovers created a cascading effect. “I think that fuels everything. Fuels them. Fuels the crowd and it can turn into a domino effect,” he said.
The schedule context also played a role, with Phoenix coming off a play-in win just days earlier. Booker addressed the short turnaround. “It’s just the nature of the game,” he said. “We’re a young team right now that’s getting playoff experience against the defending champs.”
Offensively, Booker highlighted early success when Phoenix pushed pace but noted the need for quicker decisions. “That first available shot, you might not get a better one,” he said. “If you watch the teams that had success last year, Indiana, they’re playing high pace and first available look that they were letting it go.”
Looking ahead to Game 2, Booker stressed a full approach to preparation. “The big three. What you just said, all of it comes into it,” he said. “Getting our bodies right, keeping our mental high, staying locked in, and we have a sample size to go through with the film from tonight.”
Phoenix now faces a critical response game as the series shifts back into preparation mode ahead of Wednesday’s Game 2.
