Devin Booker ends the Thunder in the last second!

The Suns’ scratched profile in the West is confirmed night after night. Tonight, for the first time this season, they managed to take a scalp Thunder thanks to the signature winning shot Devin Booker at the last second.

An unexpected finish considering the development of events in the second quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderwho would finish with production below his standards (25 points on 8/22 shooting), showed his ability to create and finish in the mid-range.

With him, and sweeper Jaylen Williams and Chet Holmgren, OKC managed to get away with a score (31-49). But there will be no visitors on a quiet evening. The locals patiently caught up, relying on the good outings of Dillon Brooks, and above all Jordan Goodwinthe top scorer of the night and the author of the best match of his life (26 points from 8/13 away).

“SGA” is having difficulty finding the target

Result: at the break, the deficit remained acceptable (42-49). Then, 12 minutes of basketball with no offensive skill later, the Suns took the lead (74-73). Everything should have been decided in the last moments because that devil Goodwin kept punishing threes in the same corner, when “SGA” had trouble finding the target, too short. All in all, the pace favored the locals, who prevented the visitors from asserting themselves in transition.

With 36 seconds left, Dillon Brooks hit a big, game-winning, step-back layup in front of the opposite leader to give his team a two-possession lead (105-101). After an offensive rebound and shot by Holmgren from the baseline, the same Brooks dribbled on the leg. Then Jalen Williams managed to equalize on a complicated shot with eight seconds left (105-105).

Devin Booker then took the rest, while Ajay Mitchell, in an attempt to equalize, sent an “air ball”.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Devin Booker’s game-winning shot. To appreciate the severity of this blow, it must be noted that the Suns leader had Alex Caruso on his back. Booker probably wanted to get a little closer to the circle by starting with the left hand. The problem is that Lou Dort was hanging around for help, forcing him to take a shot a good yard behind the line, despite the raised hands of two of the best defensive specialists in the league. Bonus shot – his only triple in the match! – with a lot of composure that struck a chord.

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– The Thunder rarely dominated on the rebound. Still without Isaiah Hartenstein, the reigning champion had great difficulty securing rebounds. As a result, the Suns grabbed 10 more offensive rebounds than them and, overall, 20 more: 49 to 29. For example, coming off the bench, Rian Dunn had as many rebounds (8) as… four of his five opposite holders combined.

– The most capable team in the West. By winning their 6th game in 7 meetings, the Suns continue their stunning run in the West with a good 7th place (21v-14d). By comparison, last year on the same date, Arizona’s players were ranked 12th with a negative record. Very comfortable at home, the Phoenix will need to do violence in most of the upcoming away matches, including the six-match “trip” to the East that begins soon.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.