Booker and Durant: Driving the Suns’ Fourth Quarter Success

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have significantly improved the performance of the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter this season. The Suns have won three of their four fourth quarters, with their top stars leading the way. Durant is averaging 10.3 points and Booker 7.5 points in those crucial moments, generating over 60% of the team’s scoring in the fourth quarter. This reliance on their best players has created a more organized and effective strategy to close out games compared to last season’s inconsistent performances.

By the numbers

• Kevin Durant: 10.3 points, 57% field goal shooting, 50% three-point shooting in the fourth quarter.
• Devin Booker: 7.5 points, 50% field goal shooting, 55% three-point shooting in the fourth quarter.
• Combined fourth quarter scoring: 17.8 points, up from 13.9 points last season.

In-game status

• The Suns execute a more reliable strategy in the fourth, focusing on their star players.
• Turnovers are still an issue, as is Jusuf Nurkić’s performance late in games.

What’s next

If Booker and Durant continue their strong play in the fourth quarter, other players like Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones could benefit from open looks when the defense focuses on the stars. This could improve the Suns’ overall offensive efficiency late in games.

Bottom line

The Suns’ strategy of relying on Booker and Durant in the fourth quarter is paying off, creating a potentially more formidable late-game offense. This approach could lead to greater success in the competitive Western Conference.