Devin Booker went on a scoring frenzy in a win against Utah

In a convincing 120-112 victory against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Devin Booker showcased why his slow start to the season should not be a concern for Suns fans. Scoring 31 points, including an impressive 15 in the fourth quarter, Booker’s performance was a testament to his resilience and skill on the court.

As the game progressed, Booker became increasingly dominant. His critical contributions in the final minutes included two three-pointers and an assist that helped extend Phoenix's lead to 14 points with just over a minute remaining. Despite struggling with his shooting early in the season—averaging 42.6% from the field and 32.1% from beyond the arc through ten games—Booker’s explosive night against the Jazz indicated that he is back in form, particularly after dealing with an illness that had hampered him in previous outings.

The Suns entered halftime with a solid 64-49 lead, capitalizing on a lackluster performance from the Jazz. However, Utah rallied in the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 30-23. This momentary slip allowed the Jazz to claw back to within six points early in the fourth quarter. Yet, a quick 7-0 run from the Suns, featuring two baskets from Bradley Beal, reestablished their commanding lead.

Beal also had a strong showing, contributing 24 points, along with three rebounds and four assists, before exiting the game due to left calf tightness. This marks another injury concern for Beal, who has already been dealing with knee and ankle issues. Meanwhile, Booker endured a knee-to-knee collision late in the game but remained on the floor, underscoring the Suns’ need for both players to stay healthy, especially with Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic sidelined due to their respective injuries.

The Suns’ supporting cast continued to impress, with Mason Plumlee stepping up in Nurkic’s absence, delivering 15 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Grayson Allen also bounced back with a solid 15 points, while rookie Oso Ighodaro made a notable impact, recording six points and 12 rebounds in 21 minutes.

This game also marked the beginning of the NBA Cup group play, a competitive tournament format that adds excitement to the regular season. The Suns will look to build on their success as they continue their journey in the group stage, with their next matchup scheduled for Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the favorites in Group B.

As the Suns navigate this busy stretch of games, which includes a total of seven out of 12 being played every other day, Booker's resurgence, along with a strong supporting cast, will be crucial for their success moving forward.