Booker shines again with his signature shot, as the Lakers' former player hands the Thunder their sixth defeat.

With 8.2 seconds left and the score tied at 105, the Suns had an opportunity to clinch the game. The ball reached Booker, who the Thunder had been trying hard to force to pass all game, but this time they opted to rely on Caruso’s solo defense.

At this point, every Suns player on the floor could shoot from beyond the arc, and the Thunder chose not to double-team easily. Dort positioned himself to block Booker’s drive. Booker surveyed the situation, faked a drive to the left, then stepped back for a three-pointer. Against the fearsome defensive duo of Dort and Caruso, he nailed the game-winning three!

Booker has long been recognized as one of the league’s most clutch guards. Even if he hadn’t made a single three-pointer all game before his buzzer-beater, as long as he had the ball in his hands, he possessed the ability to deliver the final decisive shot.

For the entire game, Booker shot 5 of 11 from the field, 1 of 4 from three, and made 13 of 15 free throws, finishing with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. Compared to Alexander’s 1 of 5 shooting in the fourth quarter, Booker clearly outshone him at the crucial moment today.

The Suns handed the Thunder their sixth loss of the season, becoming the fourth team this season to defeat them. Although the game was decided in the final buzzer-beater moment, the Suns were the better team in every aspect today.

Throughout the game, the Suns outrebounded the Thunder by 20, including a dominant 12-2 advantage on offensive boards. Even in steals, one of the Thunder’s strengths, they managed only 2 this game, marking their lowest total this season.

The Thunder led by as much as 18 points in the first half, but the Suns went on a scoring run late in the second quarter, taking control of the game's tempo from then on. Although Booker didn’t hit many shots, he kept getting to the free throw line and also dished out 9 assists. On the final possession, Booker trusted his own touch after having relied on his teammates all game, with Jordan Goodwin benefiting the most by having a career night.

The Thunder made just 10 of 32 three-point attempts, revealing ongoing instability in their outside shooting. Meanwhile, Goodwin alone shot 8 of 13 from deep for 26 points and 4 rebounds, setting career highs both in points and three-pointers made.

Overall, Goodwin’s three-point shooting this season averages 1.4 makes on 4.1 attempts per game, with a 33.3% accuracy—almost 5% lower than his last season with the Lakers. However, his confidence in shooting has clearly been nurtured by the Suns.

Goodwin said, “The coach has been encouraging me to shoot step-back threes, something I’d never heard before and never tried myself. As soon as I crossed half court, he shouted in my ear, ‘Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!’ Such a small detail can push you to give more effort on the court.”

Before today, Goodwin’s career high for threes made in a game was three, but today he rewarded his coach’s trust. Besides his shooting, Goodwin’s defense was also solid, blocking Alexander’s mid-range shot late and knocking the ball out of bounds on another play.

His three-point shooting and defensive skills are exactly why Goodwin remains in the league. These two qualities are also what the Lakers, his former team, desperately lack. Currently, the Lakers rank 23rd in defensive efficiency, 24th in three-point percentage, and 25th in three-pointers made in the league.

In the latter half of last season, Goodwin signed a two-way contract with the Lakers and was promoted to a full contract by season’s end. However, during the offseason, the Lakers had to waive him to make room for Smart’s signing.

After becoming a free agent again, Goodwin stood out in the Suns’ training camp and earned a roster spot. He gradually secured steady playing time during the season (helped by Green’s limited availability), culminating in his career night today.

Entering the league as an undrafted rookie in 2021, Goodwin has faced unemployment multiple times but always found new opportunities elsewhere. Casual fans might think today’s performance was just luck, but only Goodwin knows how much effort he put in for this game. Making 8 three-pointers might be both a coincidence and an inevitability.

With a role player’s breakout and a star’s game-winner, the Suns toppled the league leaders, winning 6 of their last 7 games. Similar to the Celtics, the Suns, who lost Durant, were underestimated at the start of the season and even expected to be among the league’s worst teams, as Booker’s solo leadership record wasn’t impressive.

But so far this season, the Suns have consistently stayed in the Western Conference’s top eight. Dillon’s arrival added toughness to the team, and unexpected contributions from players like Gillespie and Goodwin have brought pleasant surprises. Once Jalen Green returns, this Suns squad may deliver even more excitement.