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Suns fans arenât letting Devin Booker off the hook for Play-In loss after late collapse
TL;DR
The Phoenix Suns lost 114-110 in the Play-In game, leading to frustration among fans who criticized the team's late-game collapse and Devin Booker's performance. Social media reactions highlighted Booker's inability to perform under pressure.
Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
PHOENIX â Frustration quickly took over social media after the Phoenix Sunsâ 114-110 Play-In loss, with fans pointing to not only a team-wide collapse, but also Devin Booker fading down the stretch.
Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Booker finished with 22 points, but his quiet fourth quarter became the focal point of fan backlash as Phoenix squandered an 11-point lead. Many also pointed to five missed free throws, which, if made, could have carried the Suns to a No. 7 seed and punched their ticket to the playoffs.
The reaction was immediate, continuing into Wednesday as the debate grew over whether Booker was fully to blame for the loss. While many called out other aspects of the game that led to the defeat, others questioned whether the All-Star can consistently deliver in elimination scenarios.
Bookerâs overall scoring line also reflected a significant drop-off in production, aligning with much of the fan conversation about a post-All-Star trend of diminished crunch-time impact.
According to Bright Side of the Sunsâ John Voita III, Booker has averaged 5.0 points in the fourth quarter (35th in the league) and 2.9 points in clutch situations (44th) since the All-Star break. He holds a minus-30 plus-minus in the clutch, which ranks 394th, and has committed eight turnovers in those moments, the second most in the league. His net rating in clutch situations is minus-35.2.
Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Expectations were high before the play-in despite these concerns, but now the defeat has fans questioning whether the Sunsâ star can truly translate his production into postseason dominance. Still, the Suns are not finished.
They will face the winner of another play-in matchup for the Western Conferenceâs final playoff spot, offering Booker a chance at an immediate response.
Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Friday night will be about elimination, but fans will also be watching to see if their long-time star can showcase his excellence when it matters most.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Devin Booker acknowledges Phoenix Sunsâ late-game woes with elimination game looming
Q&A
What was the final score of the Suns' Play-In game against the Trail Blazers?
The final score was 114-110 in favor of the Trail Blazers.
Why are Suns fans upset with Devin Booker's performance?
Fans are frustrated because Booker faded during the crucial late moments of the game, contributing to the team's collapse.
What happened during the late stages of the Suns' Play-In loss?
The Suns experienced a team-wide collapse, failing to maintain their lead and ultimately losing the game.
How did social media react to the Suns' Play-In loss?
Social media was filled with frustration from fans, many of whom criticized both the team's performance and Devin Booker specifically.
