PHOENIX (AZFamily) \u2014 Devin Booker\u2019s playoff struggles continued as the Phoenix Suns were swept by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, ending their season Monday night with a 10th consecutive playoff loss.<\/p>\n
The guard was the team\u2019s third-leading scorer in the series, averaging 21.3 points per game \u2014 his lowest mark in 10 career playoff series. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green both poured in more points over the four games and took 20 and 22 more shots than Booker, respectively.<\/p>\n
After the game, the critiques started to roll in. Some said Booker is slowing down in general, doesn\u2019t create the same separation on the mid-range jumpers and he doesn\u2019t have the same burst to the rim.<\/p>\n
Elimination game woes deepen<\/p>\n
At halftime of Monday\u2019s elimination game, Booker was 0-for-3 on field-goal attempts and had five turnovers. But the Thunder\u2019s defense is historically special.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got to give them credit. You know, there\u2019s three all defensive guys over there that they keep in rotation and seems like the game plan is, you know, don\u2019t let me get any touches at any time,\u201d Booker said. \u201cYou know, so still trying to be aggressive and find spots, but you know, if somebody\u2019s locked on to me and it\u2019s opening up another opportunity for a teammate, the quicker we can exploit that and get that advantage, I think that can sag off a little bit and open up more opportunities for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Booker came alive in the third quarter while the outcome was still in doubt, but it marked another disappointing elimination game performance.<\/p>\n
He is now 1-5 in elimination games. The only win came a week and a half ago in the play-in finale against the Golden State Warriors.<\/p>\n
Booker scored 49 points against the Timberwolves in an elimination game loss in 2024. That\u2019s when the Suns got swept by Minnesota.<\/p>\n
In the other five do-or-die contests, he has averaged just 17 points and is 2-for-24 on three-point attempts.<\/p>\n
Booker denied he was dealing with an injury after Monday\u2019s game. But if we learn later that something was slowing him down in the postseason, it wouldn\u2019t be the first time.<\/p>\n
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