Devin Booker had a lot to be unhappy about as the Phoenix Suns lost 128-114 to the Dallas Mavericks in their Christmas Day game. At one point in the third quarter, Chimezie Metu turned the ball over but didn’t run back on defense, which led to Booker calling him out.
“Why aren’t you running back? You turn the ball over and don’t run back?”
Devin Booker wasn't happy with the effort here, especially after Metu's turnover
"Why aren't you running back? You turn the ball over and don't run back?" pic.twitter.com/8aihVLVpCC
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) December 26, 2023
The Suns were desperately trying to stage a comeback at that point and this is not the kind of effort you’d want to see. Metu should have at least sprinted back considering he was the one who turned it over. You might have excused this had he been an older veteran, but he is just a 26-year-old.
To be fair to Metu, he did have a great game apart from this sequence, as he ended the night with 23 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. The Suns also managed to take the lead later in the quarter but were then outscored 37-22 in the fourth which got us the final score of 128-114.
As for Booker’s play in this one, he struggled. The 27-year-old had 20 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, but shot just 6-14 from the field. He apparently sprinted off the court in the opposite direction to the Suns’ tunnel after the game as well.
“Book not at all happy. Sprinted off the court opposite of the Suns tunnel. Ishbia right after him.”
https://twitter.com/phxmrorng/status/1739529038925074827
This loss to the Mavericks meant the Suns have now gone 3-9 in their last 12 games, and frustrations are probably rising by the passing day. Two of those wins came against the lowly Washington Wizards and the Memphis Grizzlies before Ja Morant made his return. Phoenix is just struggling mightily at the moment, and their season might be at risk of falling apart.
Devin Booker Says The Leaders On The Team Have To Turn The Season Around
If the season is to be turned around, then the leaders have to step up, and that’s what Booker stated after the game as well. When asked whether he was concerned about frustrations boiling over, the three-time All-Star said he was not.
“We just have to get it together and that’s on me, that’s on coach, that’s on (Kevin Durant), Eric (Gordon), all the leaders that we have in here to make sure that we’re well prepared when we come to play,” Booker said.
Devin Booker said it's on him, Frank Vogel, Kevin Durant and Eric Gordon. leaders on the team to turn this season around. #Suns now 14-15 after loss to #Mavs. pic.twitter.com/52uS2H0Wz1
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 26, 2023
This Suns team was always going to go only as far as their stars took them and they now need to ensure everyone sticks together to achieve their goals. Phoenix was supposed to be a contender this season, but with a 14-15 record, they are looking far from that at the moment.
There Is Trouble In The Desert
While Booker pointed to Eric Gordon and Kevin Durant there, as two individuals who can help turn things around, there is a bit of an issue with that. The fact is both of them themselves aren’t too happy about the situation they’re in.
Gordon called out his teammates over selfish basketball, as he lamented his lack of touches in recent times. The veteran stated that there hasn’t been an emphasis on getting him more looks and doesn’t look like a happy camper right now.
Durant, meanwhile, is frustrated and the Suns organization can feel it. Part of it reportedly comes from Bradley Beal having missed so much time with multiple injuries and because of that trade, Phoenix is not in a position to improve their roster either. It’d be a great story if the Suns turn things around, but it’s looking rather difficult.
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