The Phoenix Suns experienced a loss in Detroit without Devin Booker, blowing a 16-point lead and scoring 15 points on 25 possessions in the fourth quarter. Their offensive efficiency measured 115.8 points per 100 possessions with Booker on the floor. Without him, the team's record is 1-3, with an average of 101.3 points per 100 possessions in those four road games against strong defensive teams, including Houston, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Detroit.
Booker returned for the game against the New York Knicks, where the Suns secured a victory. The Knicks played without Jalen Brunson. Despite Mitchell Robinson's presence for New York, Phoenix surpassed the Knicks 21-17 in second-chance points. The Suns are among nine teams with a lower points-per-100-possession average than last season, but they have shown the league's most significant increase in offensive rebounding percentage, rising from 26.4% (26th) last season to 33.6% (6th) this season.
Against the Knicks, the Suns' starting lineup did not deliver its optimal performance, but contributions from the bench were instrumental in overcoming two separate 10-point deficits. Grayson Allen consistently closes games for the team. The Suns have outscored opponents by 13.4 points per 100 possessions in 486 minutes when both Jordan Goodwin and Oso Ighodaro are on the court. Overall, the Suns' bench ranks fifth in the league.