Suns’ Jordan Ott drops ‘tremendous’ label on Devin Booker after 27 points in injury return
PHOENIX — After a three-game absence due to a nagging right groin strain, Devin Booker returned to the Phoenix Suns’ lineup on Sunday night with the kind of immediate impact that reminded everyone why he is the franchise’s cornerstone. Although the Suns fell short in a chaotic 116-114 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Booker’s individual performance drew high praise from the coaching staff, specifically regarding his readiness and conditioning.
Suns coach Jordan Ott did not hold back in his assessment of the All-Star guard, labeling Booker’s return performance as "tremendous" during his postgame availability. Ott highlighted Booker’s ability to bypass the typical "rust" associated with soft tissue injuries, pointing to the guard's aggressive attack on the rim as a sign of full health. Booker finished the night with a team-high 27 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes of action.
What stood out most to Ott was Booker’s physicality. Rather than settling for perimeter jumpers to protect his body, Booker consistently drove into the teeth of the Lakers' defense, earning a season-high 16 trips to the free-throw line, where he converted 13 attempts. This downhill aggression was critical for a Phoenix offense that had struggled to generate easy points during his absence. Ott noted that seeing Booker absorb contact and explode to the basket provided a "tremendous" boost to the team's morale, even if the final scoreboard didn't swing their way.
The game itself was a high-octane affair at the Footprint Center, featuring a controversial finish that saw teammate Dillon Brooks ejected and LeBron James sealing the game at the line. Despite the heartbreaking nature of the loss, which dropped Phoenix to 13-11 on the season, the organization breathes a sigh of relief knowing their primary scorer is back. With Booker looking explosive and uninhibited, the Suns can now focus on reintegrating him fully as they prepare for a difficult stretch of Western Conference opponents. For Ott, the loss was a setback, but Booker’s "tremendous" physical response was the night's most significant victory.
Suns coach Jordan Ott did not hold back in his assessment of the All-Star guard, labeling Booker’s return performance as "tremendous" during his postgame availability. Ott highlighted Booker’s ability to bypass the typical "rust" associated with soft tissue injuries, pointing to the guard's aggressive attack on the rim as a sign of full health. Booker finished the night with a team-high 27 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes of action.
What stood out most to Ott was Booker’s physicality. Rather than settling for perimeter jumpers to protect his body, Booker consistently drove into the teeth of the Lakers' defense, earning a season-high 16 trips to the free-throw line, where he converted 13 attempts. This downhill aggression was critical for a Phoenix offense that had struggled to generate easy points during his absence. Ott noted that seeing Booker absorb contact and explode to the basket provided a "tremendous" boost to the team's morale, even if the final scoreboard didn't swing their way.
The game itself was a high-octane affair at the Footprint Center, featuring a controversial finish that saw teammate Dillon Brooks ejected and LeBron James sealing the game at the line. Despite the heartbreaking nature of the loss, which dropped Phoenix to 13-11 on the season, the organization breathes a sigh of relief knowing their primary scorer is back. With Booker looking explosive and uninhibited, the Suns can now focus on reintegrating him fully as they prepare for a difficult stretch of Western Conference opponents. For Ott, the loss was a setback, but Booker’s "tremendous" physical response was the night's most significant victory.
