In a stunning finish, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker delivered a heroic three-point shot at the buzzer to secure a nail-biting 108-105 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, January 5, 2026 (Philippine Time).
A Sweet Payback for Phoenix
The win served as a significant redemption for the Suns, who suffered their worst defeat in franchise history just weeks earlier. On December 10, 2025, during the NBA Cup quarter-finals, the Thunder demolished the Suns 138-89. Booker did not play in that humiliating loss, making Monday's triumph even more meaningful.
"I just wanted to get to my spot. We've had a tough stretch against this team, and we needed to prove we could close one out. It felt good the second it left my hand," said Booker, who contributed 24 points to the winning effort.
Key Contributors and a Wild Comeback
While Booker provided the final heroics, the Suns' victory was a collective effort. Reserve guard Jordan Goodwin had a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 26 points and sinking eight three-pointers. Dillon Brooks also played a crucial role, adding 22 points with 14 of those coming in the pivotal fourth quarter.
The Thunder, who had dominated the Suns in their previous eight consecutive meetings, looked poised for another win. They built an 18-point lead in the second quarter. However, the trio of Goodwin, Booker, and Brooks ignited a Suns offensive surge to claw their way back.
The Final Minute Frenzy
With just over four minutes remaining, Oklahoma City still held a 100-94 advantage. Phoenix then unleashed an 8-0 run to snatch the lead, 102-100, with only 1:46 left on the clock. The Suns extended their edge to 105-101 with 36.4 seconds to go.
Refusing to surrender, the Thunder answered with a 4-0 run of their own to tie the game at 105-105, leaving a mere 8.2 seconds for Phoenix. That set the stage for Booker's game-winning three-pointer with just 0.7 seconds remaining, sealing the dramatic comeback.
For the Thunder, reigning regular season and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 25 points. Jalen Williams added 23 points, while Chet Holmgren chipped in 18 points in the hard-fought loss.
