MIAMI — Devin Booker was keen to review the NBA’s ‘Last Two Minute Report’ regarding this incident. He may not agree with its findings. The report indicated that Herb Jones of the Pelicans made “marginal contact” with the right arm of the Phoenix Suns’ star guard during the final play of Thursday’s 126-124 defeat against […]
MIAMI — Devin Booker was keen to review the NBA’s ‘Last Two Minute Report’ regarding this incident. He may not agree with its findings. The report indicated that Herb Jones of the Pelicans made “marginal contact” with the right arm of the Phoenix Suns’ star guard during the final play of Thursday’s 126-124 defeat against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (5-18), thereby validating the non-call.
“Jones (NOP) reaches for the ball, resulting in marginal contact with Booker’s (PHX) right arm post-dribble as he shifts it back to his left hand.”
Suns guard Grayson Allen remarked after the match that he believed Jones “might have held” Booker’s arm but conceded that “it’s also good defense because no one noticed it.”
The Suns (12-9) move forward with their three-game road trip on Saturday against the Miami Heat (10-10), kicking off a back-to-back series. They conclude the journey on Sunday facing the Orlando Magic (16-8).
Phoenix has previously encountered both teams at home—defeating the Heat 115-112 and losing to the Magic 109-99.
The play in question on Thursday focused on Booker, who led his team with 28 points but struggled, shooting 6-of-20.
Booker caught an inbound pass from Royce O’Neale at the 3-point line. Rather than heading right, Booker attempted to cross over Jones but lost control of the ball. After regaining possession, he took a 3-point shot, which was blocked by Jones, with Trey Murphy III also providing defense. Post-game, Booker reflected that he should have proceeded right but felt Jones was preventing him from doing so. When he crossed back to the left, the “marginal contact” happened. “I should’ve taken a shot,” Booker expressed. “I could’ve performed better, but we’ll see how the two-minute report evaluates it.” The Last Two Minute Report affirmed that all 17 reviewed plays, including Jones’ block on Booker contested by Murphy III, resulted in either correct calls or no calls. “Both Jones (NOP) and Murphy III (NOP) maintained legal guarding positions during Booker’s (PHX) shot attempt. Murphy III jumped vertically and absorbed the contact that Booker initiated.” The Pelicans ended a nine-game losing streak and halted the Suns’ two-game winning streak. “They executed their defense well,” remarked Suns rookie Oso Ighodaro. “They switched on every play and had Herb matched up on Booker. There was a lot of contact, but we need to push through it. The outcome shouldn’t hinge on that final play.” The Suns gave up 45 points in the third quarter, allowing the Pelicans to seize a 99-93 lead after the Suns held a 63-54 advantage at halftime. Brandon Ingram contributed 21 points in that quarter alone to drive the comeback, and New Orleans went 7-of-9 from beyond the arc during that span. “That’s a glaring issue,” stated Suns coach Mike Budenholzer after the match. “We need to defend for a full 48 minutes. We need to maintain that effort across all four quarters. They deserve credit; Ingram had an impressive quarter, and they caught fire. That’s when the momentum shifted.” The Suns played without Kevin Durant, who is sidelined for the three-game road trip due to a left ankle sprain sustained in the second quarter of Tuesday’s victory over San Antonio. “Kevin is doing well,” Budenholzer told reporters pre-game on Thursday. “The imaging showed no serious issues—just a sprained ankle. We anticipate a relatively brief absence. It’s just a matter of monitoring his progress day by day or until we return from this trip.” The Suns have a four-day break between the game against the Magic on Sunday and their next match on December 13 in Utah. “There’s a bit of a window there to observe his recovery,” Budenholzer added. “We’ll make decisions accordingly.” The Suns currently hold a 1-7 record without Durant, while they are 11-2 with him. They posted a 1-6 record during his absence due to a left calf strain. “Our challenge is that we try to play as if Kevin is still with us,” noted Suns big Jusuf Nurkic. “We need to adjust our strategy when certain players aren’t available.” Rookie Ryan Dunn (left ankle soreness) and Nurkic (right calf contusion) were absent from Thursday’s game, with Dunn previously listed as probable. Budenholzer revealed that Dunn had sustained an issue with his ankle in the match against the Spurs.
