'Back to the lab.' Suns' Booker last to leave practice as regular season looms

· Yahoo Sports

Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker wasn’t kidding around about going “back to the lab” after shooting 1-of-12 from 3 through his first two preseason games.

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“Just getting more reps up, looking at film at the shots I did get and see what I can do better,” Booker said after his 0-of-8 distance effort in last week’s preseason road loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Booker was the last one to leave the team’s practice facility court after Saturday’s morning shootaround Oct. 10 and Monday, Oct. 12.

“He usually shoots before and after (practice),” Suns coach Jordan Ott said after Monday’s practice as Booker shot around with assistant coach John Little and staff.

“He's one of those rare cases that shoots both sides of practice. Always at that basket.”

The Suns have two full courts in the practice facility. Booker works at the far end of the second court closest to the weight room.

"He oftentimes comes back at night,'' Ott said. "He knows how to prepare himself, his body, and mind, for what's about to come. The marathon is about to come.”

The Suns begin the 2026-27 regular season on the road Oct. 21 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

“He’s had a great summer, but now it's a fine-tuning as we get into the season," Ott continued. "Honestly, he’s the last one on the court today. It’s not normal around the league to have someone of that stature this late on the court.”

As Ott continued talking, he reacted to Booker yelling during the workout on the opposite end.

“He's having a good time doing it, too,” Ott added. “You can hear it in the background. It's fun. So that part is pretty cool to see.”

Booker turns 30 on Oct. 30, as he enters his 12th NBA season via Kentucky.

Booker sat out Saturday’s preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs, which the Suns won 102-98, at Mortgage Matchup Center. Miles Bridges also didn’t play due to a right ankle injury he suffered in the second quarter against the Bulls.

Ott said the team came out of Saturday’s game fine, health-wise.

“Everyone is trending in the right direction,” Ott said. “We’re in a good place.”

Ott said they will determine the lineup for their last two preseason games. The Suns face the Spurs again Oct. 14. This time in San Antonio, and end preseason action Oct. 16 at home against the Utah Jazz.

“We’re not going to play everyone in those last two games,” Ott said.

When asked if Bridges will play Wednesday, Ott said, “I think the ankle is recovering at a good rate, but that’s one we’re not going to press. We’re not going to press on if it’s not perfect.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin by email at [email protected] or by phone at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Back to the lab.' Suns' Booker last to leave practice as regular season looms

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