Suns’ Royce O’Neale discusses the evolution of his rapid-fire shooting technique and emphasizes how dedicated practice sessions combined with his coach’s unwavering belief in him has significantly improved his abilities on the court.
OKLAHOMA CITY — While Devin Booker is often seen as the centerpiece of the Phoenix Suns, his performance alone cannot account for the team’s struggles during a 99-83 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a night where the atmosphere was electric, with a sellout crowd of 18,203 at Paycom Center.
Booker endured a frustrating game, finishing scoreless in the first half as Phoenix fell behind 48-36 at intermission. Despite being a key player, the All-Star guard concluded the night with only 12 points, shooting a mere 20% (2-of-10) from the field while making all his attempts at the free-throw line (8-of-8).
This marked an unusual occurrence for Booker; according to Stathead, it was the first time he failed to score in a half since December 23, 2019, in a narrow 113-111 home defeat to the Denver Nuggets.
With both Kevin Durant rehabilitating a left calf strain and Bradley Beal sidelined for a second consecutive game with a similar injury, the Suns were heavily reliant on Booker to step up against the formidable Thunder. Unfortunately, his performance fell well below expectations, resulting in a team-low minus-29 rating.
Grayson Allen’s absence due to a sore right hamstring added to the Suns’ troubles, while the Thunder (11-2) were not without their injuries either. Despite key players like rising sensation Chet Holmgren (out with a right iliac wing fracture) and others missing the game, Oklahoma City still managed to thrive with contributions from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the scoring with 28 points in 33 minutes.
As the Suns trailed by as many as 25 points in this NBA Cup West Group B matchup, the struggles dimmed their record to 9-4, with only a 1-3 tally without Durant. Looking ahead, Phoenix will aim to even their record on this four-game road trip as they confront the Minnesota Timberwolves, who previously eliminated them in the first round of last season’s playoffs, this Sunday at Target Center.
Here are three critical takeaways from the Suns’ disappointing performance in this latest defeat. They had already been handed a loss by the Sacramento Kings (127-104) just two days prior.
Booker got distracted, didn’t bring it
Booker is no stranger to engaging with referees, a routine part of his gameplay. However, on this night, he failed to deliver his usual intensity and production.
Frustrations boiled over as Booker pushed Lu Dort during a moment near the sideline, prompting the referees to review the play for a potential flagrant foul, although it was ruled a common foul in the end.
Yet, it was more than just that brief confrontation that hindered Booker’s effectiveness. He grappled with the pressure of double teams, showing signs of indecision that resulted in a game-high four turnovers while the Suns overall recorded 17 turnovers leading to 20 points for the Thunder. The energy and physical play that Oklahoma City exhibited was something Phoenix struggled to match, placing added responsibility on Booker to assert himself offensively.
The Suns’ inability to hit shots allowed Oklahoma City to continue doubling Booker. Overall, Phoenix managed a mere 29.3% success rate from the field, including a dismal 24.3% from three-point range with just 9-of-37 attempts. Collectively, the team could have executed its offensive sets with greater fluidity, but Booker’s burst and ability to create separation for his jump shot were noticeably lacking.
Faced with the challenge of competing against Gilgeous-Alexander, Booker did not respond with the same level of competitiveness he usually displays against fellow star players. In his post-game comments, he asserted that the era of attempting to score over multiple defenders had come to an end. However, regardless of how much defensive attention he received from the Thunder and how poorly Phoenix shot overall, he needed to embody aggressiveness and set a competitive tone for the Suns.
On this occasion, he didn’t take a single three-point attempt—a significant aspect of the Suns’ offensive strategy. While it’s uncertain whether this struggle relates to lingering effects from a recent illness, he did score 31 points just two nights earlier against the Utah Jazz.
Booker was not listed on the injury report for any illness or injury concerns leading into the game; still, his performance raised alarms as he appeared to be out of sorts on the court.
Such issues are troubling, especially with Beal potentially facing an extended absence and Durant’s return not expected until November 26 at the earliest against the Lakers.
Quicker, more athletic Thunder
The Suns could not capitalize on their size advantage with 7-foot center Jusuf Nurkic, particularly given the smaller stature of the Thunder’s front line, highlighted by 6-foot-6 Jalen Williams.
Rather than fully exploiting this mismatch, Oklahoma City responded by doubling Nurkic and effectively closing out on the Suns’ shooters. To counter this, Phoenix needed to improve their shooting performance to punish the Thunder’s defensive schemes. The struggles of rookie Ryan Dunn, who went 1-of-9 from beyond the arc, and Tyus Jones at 2-of-8 compounded the issue, placing additional pressure on Booker and Nurkic.
Furthermore, Nurkic’s focus on initiating offense rather than dominating the boards contrasted with expectations for his role. The Suns managed only 11 offensive rebounds and attempted a franchise-high 40 free throws. Ironically, they could have generated even more opportunities from the foul line had Nurkic embraced a more physical presence during the game.
Ultimately, Nurkic’s night was dismal, as he missed all seven of his field goal attempts, leaving him with a meager four points. In response to a question about the Suns’ failure to leverage their size, Booker conceded, “good question,” but refrained from providing further insight.
Surprisingly, Mason Plumlee did not see any minutes in this contest, despite being recognized for his prowess on the boards. Instead, rookie Oso Ighodaro received the minutes but accumulated five fouls in the process.
Contrastingly, the Thunder demonstrated superior hustle and effort, securing extra possessions through 13 offensive rebounds that contributed to them outshooting the Suns by 16 attempts. Even without several key players, the matchup between the two teams proved unfavorable for Phoenix; if fully healthy, the Thunder would likely still outmatch the Suns in both speed and physicality.
Okogie providing spark
In recognition of his contributions during the loss against Sacramento, Coach Mike Budenholzer rewarded Josh Okogie with a starting role, which paid off as Okogie recorded a season-best 25 points along with eight rebounds, including a career-high six offensive boards.
Making this adjustment led to Royce O’Neale returning to his previous role off the bench. Despite only shooting 4-of-12 from the field for 15 points, Okogie’s efforts stood out, while O’Neale managed to contribute 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting.
Considering how Oklahoma City initiated the game, opting for a smaller lineup featuring O’Neale at center may have proven more beneficial. With Nurkic not yet fully recovered from an ankle injury, this could have been an opportunity to allow him additional rest as they confront Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves on Sunday.
The Suns found themselves in a high-paced contest that Oklahoma City thrived in, outscoring Phoenix 14-4 in fast-break opportunities. While the matchup posed challenges, Okogie consistently demonstrated his value by earning increased minutes stoked by his aggressive play, improved three-point shooting, and relentless hustle.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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**Interview with Royce O’Neale: Insights on Shooting Technique and Team Dynamics**
**Editor:** Joining us today is Royce O’Neale from the Phoenix Suns, who has been making waves with his impressive shooting technique. Royce, thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
**Royce O’Neale:** Thank you for having me!
**Editor:** You’ve talked about how your shooting technique has evolved. Can you give us some insight into what that process has looked like for you?
**Royce O’Neale:** Absolutely. My shooting technique has undergone significant changes over the past few seasons. I’ve focused on refining my mechanics, especially my footwork and release time. A lot of it comes down to repetition and understanding my body. I’ve spent countless hours in the gym working on quick, efficient shooting—especially under pressure.
**Editor:** It sounds like your dedication to practice has paid off. How crucial has your coach been in this evolution?
**Royce O’Neale:** My coach has been a tremendous support system. His belief in me has been a game changer. He pushes me to try new things, and he emphasizes the importance of mental confidence while shooting. Knowing that he trusts my abilities gives me the freedom to express my skills on the court without hesitation.
**Editor:** Speaking of the court, despite your individual progression, the Suns faced a tough defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder recently. How do you feel you and the team can improve moving forward?
**Royce O’Neale:** Team chemistry and execution are key. We have to trust each other more, especially with players like Devin and Kevin out for various reasons. Everyone needs to step up, and we have to capitalize on our size and strengths. This loss shows that we need to work on our offensive flow and shooting consistency as a unit.
**Editor:** It must be challenging to deal with injuries to critical players. How do you manage the pressure to fill those gaps?
**Royce O’Neale:** It definitely adds pressure, but it also creates opportunities for other players. We need to embrace that challenge and find ways to adapt. Every player on this roster has the capability to contribute, and it’s about stepping into those roles and elevating our game as a team.
**Editor:** what do you think is the key takeaway for the Suns as you prepare for your upcoming games?
**Royce O’Neale:** We need to be resilient and focus on our fundamentals. Every game is a learning experience, and staying positive and pushing each other during practice will give us the momentum we need. It’s a long season, and we’ll get better with every challenge we face.
**Editor:** Thank you, Royce. It’s great to hear your thoughts on the team and your personal growth. Best of luck for the upcoming games!
**Royce O’Neale:** Thanks! Appreciate it!
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