With their backs firmly against the wall, Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns arrived at the Footprint Center for Game 3. With Phoenix down 2-0 in their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they had to win at home to prevent falling behind 3-0, which no NBA team has ever overcome.
After being outplayed throughout the first two games in Oklahoma City, the Suns lost Game 1 by 35 points and Game 2 by 13. The trend persisted throughout the first half of Game 3, with Oklahoma City holding a 62-53 lead at halftime.
Phoenix had a scare with an injury halfway through the third quarter.
Booker fell to the ground after tripping over Thunder forward Lu Dort with 9:16 left in the game and the Suns down 69–60, instantly grabbing his ankle in obvious agony. When Phoenix called timeout, play was halted, and Booker left the game for the locker room.
Shortly afterward, he reentered the game to a roaring ovation from the crowd.
Booker minimized the seriousness of the injury following the game, claiming that his ankle is OK. When questioned about the drama including Dort, he responded, “I don’t know if it was intentional or not. I saw him extend his leg out a little bit. He raised his hand to signal that it was a foul, but it was not granted (h/t Tim McMahon of ESPN).
With 16 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, Booker had a tough time on Saturday, making just six of his 16 field goals. Although Dillon Brooks led the team with 33 points and seven rebounds, Oklahoma City was able to maintain control and win 121-109, giving them a 3-0 series lead.
Booker is still crucial to Phoenix’s chances of preventing a sweep, even if his performance was subpar. To keep the series going, the Suns will need a better showing from him after he averaged 26. 1 points and 6. 0 assists throughout the regular season.
Monday at 9:30 p. m. ET is when the fourth game is set to take place.
