Devin Booker sees ‘parallel’ between Phoenix and old Valley teams

PHOENIX – A new rendition of “The Valley” court may have heralded a once-great time for Phoenix Sunsbut Thursday night showed the team’s true identity under head coach Jordan Ott.

Tenacity, grit and a willingness to not back down played a key role in a 133-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Although Grayson Allen left the Suns game with a right quad injury, they never backed down.

At first it started with Dillon Brooks constantly kneeing with Pascal Siakam. Then it was Collin Gillespie and Royce O’Neale. Then it was Devin Booker.

He went nose to nose just like his teammates, barking at Isaiah Jackson after a contested layup for his 32nd and 33rd points of the game. The referees did not call any technical fouls, but let the game continue.

He ended up lighting the fuse in a dominant third quarter finish where they went on a 21-4 run to close out the third quarter. For 13 games, that was the theme. and he doesn’t plan on changing any time soon.

However, they exist some interesting parallels those NBA Finals and Suns teams fighting for the playoffs to the current version.

“It just comes down to energy. It starts before you even get on the court. … It quickly turned into, we’ve got work to do.”

Devin Booker was asked if anything was different when I played on “The Valley” court again 🗣

(via @HaidenCilley) pic.tvitter.com/MKSRvGtSdeR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 14, 2025

“It just comes down to energy,” Booker said after the game. “It starts before you get on the field – it’s all over the locker room. We didn’t have to shoot today, but for us it’s usually shooting around. It’s the laughs, it’s the jokes, it’s the music. (But) It turns around quickly, we’ve got work to do.

“I would say it’s a parallel where you see smiles and laughter and you know immediately when it’s time to play.”

Devin Booker and the Suns are mixing the old with the new

The sample size for one game isn’t exactly adequate for anyone to justify whether the Valley’s court really delivers anything special. But what was special about that team was the infectious energy.

Even for 42, they play lockdown defense, take guys all over the field, jump for the loose ball and play like they’re trailing, not leading.

It was all part of it Otto’s vision from the beginning. He never planned to win anyone over with any ra-ra speeches.

In the first half, Phoenix held Indiana to 52 points. While a barrage of paint points led both teams, there wasn’t much to be glamorous about when it came to shooting.

Some from the defense, and some from well-missed shots. The Pacers shot 28% from deep over four quarters, which seemed to indicate the direction of the game.

One thing was certain: Indiana would bring physicality, and Suns head coach Jordan Ott knew his guys were ready for the challenge. But he didn’t know exactly who.

I asked Jordan Ott how he liked his team’s physicality against the Pacers after back-to-back games.

“You don’t know where it’s coming from, but you’re going to need some pop. You’re going to need some energy, you’re going to need someone to help you get over it… pic.twitter.com/KCh3zURPVK

— Hayden Cilley (@HaidenCilley) November 14, 2025

“You don’t know where it’s coming from, but you’re going to need pop,” Ott said after the game. “You’re going to need some energy, you’re going to need someone to help you get over the hump.”

“Back to back, all those things you can make excuses for, or you can go out and play. Our group is going to play. It’s not surprising, that’s just another thing we talk about. (We’re) led by our leaders.

In the victory, the Suns had 47 points on the bench. Granted, most of that came in the trash, but guys like Oso Ighodaro (17 points) as well as Jordan Goodwin and Colin Gillespie (10 points each).

Fortunately, the team will have two days to rest before facing the Atlanta Hawks again at home. Winning the last five games seems to be working wonders, but maintaining it will be an important question.