Suns-Thunder updates: Booker scoreless at half, frustration showing

The Phoenix Suns (9-3) begin their three-game season series vs Oklahoma City Thunder (10-2) on Friday, airs on Arizona’s Family (Ch. 3TV) at 18.00

This is the Suns’ third of their four-game road trip and their second NBA Cup appearance in Western Conference Group B play. Phoenix is ​​coming off a 127-104 loss at Sacramento on Wednesday. The West’s first place Thunder are looking to extend their winning streak to three at home.

Devin Booker leads the Suns third with the fifth different starting lineup already through their 13 games due to injuries. They will be without their leading scorers Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, both with left calf sprains.

The Thunder are led by All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Gilbert Perry product Jalen Williams.

Check out azcentral for scores, highlights and stats during the Suns-Thunder game.

Booker, Sun’s shooting struggles continue in 2nd quarter

Josh Okogie had the Suns’ game-high 12 points, but they continued to struggle collectively in the second quarter, down 48-36 at the half to the Thunder.

They are shooting just 26.8% overall, and their biggest deficit was 18 on a trey by Aaron Wiggins (seven points) around six minutes.

Booker remains scoreless (0-for-6 FG, three rebounds, three assists, one block). He didn’t get a shot attempt in the second period and his frustration seemed to mount. He was substituted after getting an offensive foul call after he pushed Lu Dort, who was face shielding him, out of bounds during an ATO play with 4:52 left. Dort had her hands on her chest and was playing him tight, their arms entwined.

Phoenix began to turn things around late in the second quarter as they went on an 11-5 run.

Booker, Suns stormed through the 1st quarter

Phoenix couldn’t find its offensive rhythm in the opening quarter, down 29-14 after the Thunder took advantage.

Booker is struggling 0-for-6 from the field and didn’t score in 1. Bradley Beal’s replacement Josh Okogie had seven points, getting off to another fast start after his career-high 25 points in their loss at Sacramento on Wednesday.

After the 6:19 mark, Gilgeous-Alexander (nine points, two steals) led the Thunder on a 15-2 run to extend their largest lead to 17 at just under the two-minute mark. The Suns went through a cold shooting as they missed 15 of their last 16 attempts. They have shot an abysmal 3-of-21, including 1-of-11 from the arc entering the second quarter.

Starting lineups

The Suns’ starting five is Tyus Jones, Booker, Josh Okogie, Ryan Dunn and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle), who has been ruled out.

The Thunder will open with Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Cason Wallace, Lu Dort at the four and two-guard Isaiah Joe.

Thunder’s Holmgren remains out

Phoenix’s Grayson Allen (hamstring) and Jusuf Nurkic (left ankle sprain) are questionable and Collin Gillespie (right ankle fracture) is out.

OKC’s top big and rising star Chet Holmgren (right hip bone) is out eight to 10 weeks. The Thunder are also without their offseason addition Alex Caruso (hip) against the Suns.

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This article originally appeared on the Arizona Republic: Suns-Thunder: Booker, Phoenix fight through break