• Loading stock data...
Thursday, June 19, 2025

Suns No Longer Title Favorites Without Devin Booker

  • In 14 games without him this season, Phoenix’s offensive rating dropped from 116.8 to 109.7.
  • Booker is the highest-paid player on the team, earning $31.7M this season and $101.5M through 2024.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sport

The Suns’ Finals Redemption Tour 2022 just got more difficult.

Despite being the best team in the regular season, Phoenix will have to push through a stretch of the postseason without Devin Booker — who’s out at least 2-3 weeks with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.

The Pelicans tied the series at one apiece on Wednesday, and now the Suns head to New Orleans on Friday without their star and biggest offensive weapon — who accounts for 23% of their $136.5 million payroll. 

  • Booker averaged 26.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG on 38.3% 3PT in the regular season — all career highs.
  • In his absence, Deandre Ayton has been the team’s best scorer (17.2 PPG).
  • The Suns were 56-12 with a 116.8 offensive rating with Booker — without him, they went 8-6 with a 109.7 rating.
  • Booker is earning $31.7M this season and $101.5M through 2024.

Phoenix is a well-oiled machine, but Booker is the Suns’ highest-paid player for a reason. He’s the prime offensive motor, while Ayton operates in the post and isn’t a playmaker.

The Suns will need to win this series without him, at which point they’d face either the Mavericks or Jazz in the second round.

Phoenix entered the postseason as clear title favorites (+275) but have dropped since Booker’s injury to second (+450) behind the Warriors (+300).

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
Mark Walter

Mark Walter Just Bought the Lakers At a $10B Valuation. Who Is..

Walter’s Lakers buy is easily the biggest franchise sale ever.
Jun 16, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is introduced before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers in game five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.

NBA Taking Cues from NBA Twitter in Restoring Finals Pageantry

The NBA and ESPN/ABC made several changes on the fly.
Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

Lakers Sale Stunner: 3 Rapid Reactions

If the Lakers are worth $10 billion, imagine a Cowboys sale price.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.
Jun 13, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the hoop past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the third quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Pacers, Fever Overwhelmed by Demand for Merch

“We have people waiting to get in the store at 10 in the morning.”
June 17, 2025

Panthers Repeat as Stanley Cup Champs, Buoyed by Bold Deadline Move

The second consecutive Cup helps cement the South as a hockey stronghold.
June 18, 2025

Rays on Verge of $1.7B Sale Following Stadium Deal Collapse

The team’s owner walked away from a stadium deal just months ago.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
Jun 7, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Kansas City Current forward Flora Marta Lacho (30) passes the ball as NJ/NY Gotham FC midfielder Jaelin Howell (7) defends during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
June 16, 2025

Gotham FC Owner Wants to Apply Peloton Instructor Model to NWSL Players

“We need to inject our Gotham stars into New York culture.”
June 16, 2025

Devers Deal Gives Giants Star Hitter After Free-Agency Rejections

The Devers deal shows a heightened aggressiveness from a former league power.
June 16, 2025

Ohtani’s Return to Pitching Brightens Spotlight on MLB’s Biggest Star

The Dodgers superstar is back to pitching, several weeks ahead of schedule.
June 15, 2025

Red Sox Trade Rafael Devers to Giants in Shocker

Devers just signed a 10-year, $313.5 million extension in 2023.