The Phoenix Suns lost to the Miami Heat 111-102 without Devin Booker. The offense shot 37% from the field and 20% from three. Phoenix is now 1-4 this season when Booker doesn’t play.
The 1-4 record without Booker is the issue
Booker averages 25.4 points per game. His shot creation and ability to draw defensive attention opens up the offense for everyone else. Without him, Phoenix hasn’t found a way to generate efficient looks. The 37% field goal shooting against Miami wasn’t an outlier—it’s what happens when the Suns don’t have their primary scorer available.
Allen and O’Neale went 1-for-18 from three
Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale combined to shoot 1-for-18 from beyond the arc. Coach Jordan Ott has said he’s fine with those players taking threes, but the shot selection matters. Early shot clock threes that don’t fall put the offense in bad positions. The 20% team three-point percentage reflected both poor shooting and questionable decisions about when to shoot.
Jalen Green’s return should help
Green has been out with hamstring issues but is expected back soon. Dillon Brooks scored 26 against Miami, but Phoenix needs more than one player producing when Booker sits. Green’s ability to score off the dribble gives the offense another option that doesn’t depend on catch-and-shoot threes falling.
16 of the next 19 games are at home
The schedule is about to get favorable. Phoenix has 16 home games in its next 19. That stretch includes Brooklyn and Detroit, games the Suns should win regardless of Booker’s status. The homestand is an opportunity to build record cushion while the roster gets healthy. Whether Phoenix takes advantage depends on whether the three-point shooting stabilizes and secondary scorers produce.