Devin Booker outdone by SGA in show of how a star takes playoff moments over

Right on time, an NBA star took the floor in Phoenix and turned in a performance for the ages.

Unfortunately, it was not Devin Booker.

Led by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder pushed the Suns to the brink of extinction Saturday at Mortgage Matchup Center. All that remains is the expiration date.

“He had us spinning,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “He had us spinning tonight.”

For all the handwringing over his foul-hunting tendencies, Gilgeous-Alexander was breathtaking on Saturday. He scored 42 points. He made 15-of-18 shots. He posted eight assists.

He did everything we hoped Booker would do for the Suns. Instead, it was another underwhelming, underachieving performance from the Suns’ franchise player.

Booker scored 16 points on 16 field goal attempts. He again attempted fewer shots than Dillon Brooks (21) and Jalen Green (19). After earning a $35,000 fine for calling out the referees following a Game 2 loss at Oklahoma City, Booker generated only two free throws.

Many felt he would spend a chunk of Game 3 at the foul line following his comments, especially after the NBA rescinded the controversial technical that prompted Booker’s outburst. But Booker didn’t do his part, often choosing to facilitate rather than force the issue at the rim. He finished a -14 for the game, and he must be better than that.

“They’re putting their best defender on him,” Ott said. “They’re committing to (defending) the ball. We got layups from that, so those are the high-quality shots we’re looking for.”

The Thunder’s suffocating defense has been compared to a pack of hyenas, a defense that is an obstacle for everybody. So was an ankle injury Booker suffered when he was tangled up with Lu Dort, forcing him to miss a 2:20 stretch in the third quarter. But in NBA history and NBA mythology, the biggest stars find a way on the biggest stages.

On Saturday, Oklahoma City had that dude and the Suns did not.

In a defining contrast late in the game, Gilgeous-Alexander pulled off thievery in broad daylight, swiping the ball from Booker for a breakaway dunk. Shortly thereafter, Booker passed on a wide open three-point shot, moving to the ball to Green, who was also open. The juxtaposition spoke volumes.

Booker triggered a league-wide reaction after he blasted the officials following a Game 2 loss. The scathing critique became a referendum on Thunder basketball, how they flop and foul hunt, and how the bush-league actions are beneath a team of their collective talent.

But veteran Book watchers were focused on his Game 3 reaction to feeling deeply disrespected, which are generally the moments Booker ignites and excites.

That didn’t happen. Not at the level we expected from the Suns’ franchise player.

“Overall, they’re a well-oiled machine,” Booker said. “They’re champs for a reason. They know what they want to get every time down the floor and they definitely know what they’re doing on defense. We hae some growing and some learning to do in those departments.”

As expected, the Suns are absorbing some harsh lessons. The Thunder have now won 11 consecutive games against first-round opponents. Meanwhile, the Suns have lost their past nine playoff games, and Booker is in danger of getting swept for the second consecutive postseason. And now, an entire season has been reduced to the search for a single victory. To avoid the indignity of getting eliminated at home once again.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.

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