Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s “big” look at Devin Booker’s epic game-winner

Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder home on a 35-foot 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left in a 108-105 victory on Sunday. After Gilgeous-Alexander and the The Thunder became the first to win 30 gamesThe Suns handed the defending champions their sixth loss of the season.

Gilgeous-Alexander gave Booker his flowers for an impressive close-range shot just before the game clock expired during his media availability after the match.

“Big players play big games,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It is what it was.”

For SGA, the Thunder were outplayed by Booker and the Suns, who erased an 18-point deficit in the second half to win by three points.

“They just played better than us,” added Gilgeous-Alexander. “At times when we could have slammed the door, we didn’t. At times when we went from seven to 15 at the end of the quarter, we didn’t. We just didn’t have our best night. That happens sometimes. Hats off to them. Good team.”

DEVIN BOOKER HITS THE THREE POINT AND WINS IT FOR THE SUN 🚨

PHOENIX COMPLETES 18-PT COMEBACK TO BEAT THUNDER! pic.tvitter.com/JNPazjMKSTz

— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2026

Devin Booker and the Suns used an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to eight before halftime.

“They play hard. They play together. In this league, when you play hard and play together every night, you give yourself a chance,” Gilgeus-Alexander said. “Then, add in talent and personnel. So, yeah, they’re a good team.”

Gilgeous-Alexander led five Thunder players in double figures with 25 points, including Jalen Williams (23 points) and Chet Holmgren (18 points, nine rebounds). Booker finished with 24 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 13-of-15 free throws.

Mark Daigneault has ‘strengthened’ his view on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder head coach Marc Daigneault dealt with the evolution of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a player recently, as the reigning MVP re-entered the conversation for this year’s honor. Daigneault reflected on Gilgeous-Alexander’s growth.

“He’s solidified his foundation as a player. The best guys who can score night after night, they have a fixed income that they get every night that’s easy, reliable and always there,” Daigneault said. “I think his commitment to it — his strength — helped with that, with some rebounds and some things around the basket. Then, I think he’s just getting better with his skills and (developing) his game.”

“The best offensive guys have a certain base and then they have stuff on top of that, and I think he’s starting to mold into that. I think we’re starting to see that with him.”

The Thunder will host the Hornets on Monday.