MIAMI — Devin Booker wished to see the NBA’s “final two minutes report” on this.
He’ll in all probability disagree with this.
The report reveals that the Pelicans’ Herb Jones made “marginal contact” on the sphere. Phoenix Suns Star Guard’s proper arm on the ultimate play of Thursday’s 126-124 loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans (5-18), making it the proper no-call.
“Jones (NOP) extends his hand towards the ball and marginal contact happens with Booker’s (PHX) proper arm after he releases his dribble into his left hand.”
Suns guard Grayson Allen mentioned after the sport that he thought Jones “may have held” Booker’s arm, however added “that is additionally good protection as a result of nobody noticed it.”
The Suns (12-9) proceed their three-game street journey Saturday in opposition to the Miami Warmth (10-10) within the first of a back-to-back. They end the journey on Sunday in opposition to the Orlando Magic (16-8).
Phoenix has performed each groups at residence earlier than, beating the Warmth 115-112 and dropping to the Magic 109-99.
The play in query Thursday centered on Booker, who scored a team-high 28 factors on 6-of-20 taking pictures.
Booker obtained an inbounds cross from Royce O’Neale on the prime of the 3-point line.
As an alternative of constant down the precise, Booker regarded to cross Jones, however misplaced the ball. Booker recovered it, took the three, however Jones blocked the shot and Trey Murphy III contested it as effectively.
After the match, Booker, in hindsight, felt he ought to have continued on the precise path, however thought Jones was slicing him off that path. It was whereas crossing to the left that the “marginal contact” occurred.
“I ought to have taken an opportunity,” Booker mentioned. “I may have achieved higher, however we may also see what the two-minute report says.”
I believed he was slicing me off so I attempted to return to the left.”
“Devin Booker on the ultimate play in Suns’ loss to Pels”.
“I ought to have taken an opportunity. I may have achieved higher, however we’ll additionally see what the 2-minute report says.”
Grayson Allen mentioned Herb Jones “may have held” Booker’s arm. #Suns pic.twitter.com/Xe3JoscxIQ
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 6, 2024
The ultimate two-minute report additionally indicated that he made both the proper name or the proper non-call for all 17 performs reviewed, together with Jones’ ultimate block on Booker with Murphy III competing.
“Jones (NOP) and Murphy III (NOP) are each in a authorized guard place throughout Booker’s (PHX) soar shot try. Murphy III jumps vertically and absorbs the contact initiated by Booker.”
The Pelicans ended their nine-game skid and ended a two-game successful streak for the Suns.
“They guarded him effectively,” Suns rookie Oso Ighodaro mentioned. “They modified all the pieces. Herb joined E-book. A lot of contact, however we nonetheless need to play it. The sport is not about that final play.”
The Suns gave up 45 factors within the third quarter to steer 99-93 after taking a 63-54 halftime lead. Brandon Ingram scored 21 factors within the third alone to gasoline the comeback. New Orleans shot 7 of 9 from 3 within the quarter.
“If you quit 45 factors within the third quarter, it’s not about folks simply hitting 3s. I really feel like we have to compete higher.”
Josh Okogie on the Suns giving up 45 factors within the third quarter (7 of 9 from 3) in a 126-124 loss to the Pelicans. #Suns #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/cXJSR1ij9A
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 6, 2024
“That’s what hits me,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned after the sport. “We’ve got to have the ability to (defend) for 48 minutes. We’ve got to have the ability to do it for 4 quarters. It is clearly due to them. Ingram had a giant quarter. They have been sizzling. It is there that the match is clearly performed the other way up.”
The Solar have been with out Kevin Durant as he’ll miss the three-game street journey with a sprained left ankle suffered within the second quarter of Tuesday’s win over San Antonio.
“Kevin is doing effectively,” Budenholzer mentioned earlier than Thursday’s sport. “I feel the imaging did not reveal something severe. A sprained ankle. We’re hoping it will be comparatively quick. We’ll simply need to see the way it goes everyday or after we get again from this journey.”
The Suns have 4 days between Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Magic and the next sport Dec. 13 at Utah.
“There’s going to be somewhat window there, see how he does,” Budenholzer continued. “Simply handle him appropriately. »
“It was an excellent perception.”
“We should always have prolonged our lead within the third.”
“He may have held his arm on the crossover, which can be an excellent protection as a result of nobody noticed it.”
Grayson Allen missed a late 3-pointer, the Suns missed third and Herb Jones’ protection on Devin Booker within the loss. #Suns #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/nxX3nUa1Pj
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 6, 2024
The Suns are actually 1-7 with out Durant, 11-2 with him. They went 1-6 whereas he was sidelined with a left calf pressure.
“Our drawback is we attempt to play like Kevin is there,” Suns large man Jusuf Nurkic mentioned. “There must be changes after we play basketball otherwise when sure individuals are out.”
Rookie Ryan Dunn (left ankle soreness) and Nurkic (proper calf bruise) missed Thursday’s sport whereas Dunn was beforehand listed as possible. Budenholzer mentioned Dunn did one thing to his ankle in opposition to the Spurs.
Each participated in Friday’s elective apply together with Bol Bol, Ighodaro and two-way participant TyTy Washington Jr.
“I’m in a extremely good place proper now,” Nurkic mentioned. “I am working laborious to get again. I am simply making an attempt to get wholesome as quickly as potential.”
Nurkic is predicted to endure a re-evaluation subsequent week, as he has missed Phoenix’s final three video games.
Do you’ve any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Observe him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
This text was initially printed on Arizona Republic: Devin Booker, NBA Remaining Two Minutes Report, Disagrees on Remaining Play
