Suns All-Star Devin Booker used the defending champion Thunder as a measuring stick to guage just how far his team has grown throughout the first month of the regular season. When the Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Rockets, many assumed 2025-26 would be the beginning of another rebuilding season.

The Pistons have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA, posting a 15-4 record. That’s the best mark in the Eastern Conference, but Miami isn’t far behind in third. The Heat have a 13-6 record while sitting second in points scored.

THE KNOCKOUT ROUNDS ARE SET 🏆 Quarterfinals will take place on Tuesday, 12/9 and Wednesday, 12/10 on Prime. WHO WILL WIN the @emirates NBA Cup? pic.twitter.com/qssdDeDlrY

Devin Booker believes Phoenix’s narrow loss to the reigning champion Thunder offered a valuable measuring stick as the Suns prepare for an NBA Cup quarterfinal rematch.

Devin Booker highlights the steep challenge ahead as the Phoenix Suns prepare for their high-stakes NBA Cup clash vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Phoenix Suns fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Friday's 123-119 loss, finishing at 3-1 in NBA Cup group play but failing to clinch the top spot as OKC went 4-0. Though the Thunder led by as much as 14 in the second half, the Suns kept things tight and took Oklahoma City down to the wire.

Ryan Dunn and Mark Williams were ruled out ahead of the Phoenix Suns' game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Grayson Allen is questionable.

Suns guard Collin Gillespie had career highs with 24 points and six 3-pointers to lead six players in double figures against the Thunder. He added four assists and three rebounds but had four turnovers.