Devin Booker gets real in the NBA Cup matchup with the Thunder

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker admitted the magnitudeand team finals NBA Cup game in the group stage as Phoenix prepares to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Black Friday. The Suns (12–7, 3–0 Cup Play) will travel to Oklahoma City to take on the league-leading Thunder (18–1, 3–0) on Friday at 9:30 PM ET with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.

Phoenix can clinch the Western Group A title with a win. If the Suns lose, they can still advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals as a wild card by finishing with a greater point difference than the winner of the Memphis Grizzlies-Los Angeles Clippers game.

Booker spoke with azcentral’s Duane Rankin about the challenge Oklahoma City presents and the opportunity ahead.

“It’s going to be a great test for us. They’re doing it. They’re playing some of the best basketball the NBA has ever seen. I’m excited to compete against that. Another Cup game. We’re looking forward to it. We’ll see them on Friday.”

Oklahoma City enters the matchup after opening the season with one of the strongest starts in league history. MVP of the regular season and MVP of the finals Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.6 points, 6.6 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 54.8% from the field and 41.4% from three in 19 games. The Thunder are on a 10-game winning streak and they did it without All-Star Jaylen Williams, who has yet to make his season debutt due to a long-term wrist injury.

“It’s going to be a great test for us. They’re doing it. They’re playing some of the best basketball the NBA has ever seen. I’m excited to compete against that. Another Cup game. We’re looking forward to it. We’ll see them on Friday.” Devin Booker in the Suns in the defense of the NBA… pic.twitter.com/2uSMCEOZ7Ks

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 27, 2025

The Thunder’s historic start sets the stage for the Suns’ high-stakes showdown in the NBA Cup

The Thunder have the third-ranked offense in the NBA with 122.1 points per game and the league’s best defense with 105.6 points allowed. Theirs +16.5 net differential surpasses last season’s all-time mark of +12.9, the highest in NBA history.

Phoenix continues to exceed early expectations after an offseason overhaul, improving to 12–7 after 112–100 NBA Cup victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. The Suns enter Friday with a +35 point differential in Cup play, trailing only Oklahoma City’s dominant +71 mark in Group A West.

Booker led the way through the first quarter of the season, averaging 26 points, 6.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 45.7% from the field and 32.4% from deep in 19 appearances. His effectiveness has stabilized a roster still adjusting to major personnel and coaching changes.

Friday’s matchup carries both competitive and historical weight, with the Suns trying to hand the defending champions just their second loss of the season while keeping their NBA Cup hopes alive. A win would secure Phoenix a spot in the quarterfinals; a loss would shift the focus to point differential and trump the Grizzlies-Clippers winner.

After Friday’s high-stakes Cup game, the Suns return home on a short break to host the Denver Nuggets (13–4) on Saturday at 9:00 PM ET. Phoenix will then begin a three-game road trip, starting with the Los Angeles Lakers (13–4) next Monday at 10:00 PM ET on the Peacock.