Devin Booker stabilizes, Suns beat Jazz in NBA Cup game

Yes, Devin Booker is fine.

In case you foolishly needed more than the security that a decades-long resume should provide, Booker’s 31 points in the Phoenix Suns’ 120-112 win on Tuesday over the Utah Jazz were proof that his slow start was no reason to stop worry is. Even a little.

Fifteen of those 31 goals came in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers and an assist on another in the final four minutes, to extend Phoenix’s lead to 14 with 1:27 left.

Booker, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week at one point, recorded a 42.6% shooting percentage and a 32.1% shooting percentage from 3-point range in ten games through Tuesday. An illness that had improbably put him on the injury report for Friday’s win was apparently still bothering him in Sunday’s loss, and his game in Utah shows that his health is now back in good shape.

What many often forget: Booker is traditionally a slow starter. His monthly per-game point splits really start to pick up as we start the new year. Just as a power back wears down a defense over the course of a game, he gets better as the season progresses.

Phoenix led 64-49 at halftime, solid enough to capitalize on the Jazz’s terrible looks, before the Suns squandered their best chance of the series of games at Utah 30-23 in the third period to get a break to stop and get some rest. Tuesday is game No. 7 of 12, with the Suns playing at least every other day, including back-to-back games.

Utah got within six points early in the fourth quarter before a 7-0 Suns spurt, led by two from Bradley Beal, extended its lead back to 13. Utah kept trying to get into the game before Booker snuffed it out.

Beal had a very good night with 24 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in 29 minutes, but did not return to the game after checking out at 7:19 due to strain in his left calf. There was no apparent moment in his final minute of play where it appeared he was injured.

This is another nickname for Beal. In the last game he rolled his left knee and also injured an ankle. In addition, he struggled with a right elbow problem.

Booker also had a bad knee-on-knee collision at the end that really looked like shit. He stayed in the game. Needless to say, Phoenix can’t afford to miss either while Kevin Durant (left calf strain) and Jusuf Nurkic (left ankle soreness) get healthy.

The Suns’ supporting cast was great in what felt like their 11th straight game with a 9-2 start. Mason Plumlee contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds in Nurkic’s place, while it was a necessary rebound performance for Grayson Allen with 15 points. Rookie center Oso Ighodaro added six points and 12 rebounds in 21 minutes.

This marked the start of NBA Cup group play, which will consist of a total of four games over the next three weeks to determine who advances to the final eight-team group. Entry into the bracket guarantees each player at least $50,000. This and the competitive aspect of a tournament format made it a success in its debut last season.

One dynamic of last year’s group play that the teams had to get used to was the points difference, which played an important role in deciding placement given the tie-break chances required. Teams are motivated to increase scoring during what we typically call garbage time. However, Phoenix plays at Sacramento on Wednesday, so there was again some incentive to sit out key players late. There was no such luxury on Tuesday.

Phoenix’s next NBA Cup game is Friday in Oklahoma City against the Thunder, favorites to win Group B even if they don’t currently have a healthy player.

Utah All-Star Lauri Markkanen clearly hasn’t been himself this season due to back problems, shooting 36.4% from the field in nine games through Tuesday and once again looking out by an average of 17 points. He has been phenomenal over the last two years and has developed into one of the best wingers in the NBA. But whatever is happening to him physically is also leading to an obvious lack of aggressiveness, the latter of which was a problem for him as a goalscorer early in his career. With Markkanen in this condition, the Jazz will be a train wreck.

John Collins took over the starting job at Utah with Walker Kessler (right hip pain) and posted 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.

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