CHICAGO — Devin Booker addressed his 1-of-12 shooting from 3 through two preseason games, as he has throughout his career that began in 2015.
“Back to the lab,” Booker said after Wednesday’s 124-117 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Oct. 7.
Booker misfired on all eight of his 3-point attempts against the Bulls after going 1-of-4 from distance in Monday’s 109-107 road loss to the Detroit Pistons
.“Just getting more reps up, looking at film at the shots I did get and see what I can do better," Booker added.
The five-time All-Star has seen his 3-point percentage drop from 36.4% in the 2023-24 season to 33.2% in 2024-25 to 33% last season.
Booker was even worse in the 2026 playoffs, going 5-of-20 for 25% in the first round against the then-defending
NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Booker is a career 35.2% shooter from 3.
He won the 2018 NBA All-Star 3-point contest and finished second to Buddy Hield in 2020 and Damian Lillard in 2026.
Booker has one of the best shooting forms in NBA history and gets good lift on the shot.
He’s endured shooting slumps before. This is preseason, but Booker hasn’t found any sort of shooting touch on mostly solid looks.
"Back to the lab."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 8, 2026
Suns All-Star Devin Booker on his 1-of-12 shooting from 3 through two preseason games.
0-for-8 tonight in Suns 124-117 loss to the Bulls.
"Just getting more reps up, looking at film at the shots I did get and see what I can do better." #Suns pic.twitter.com/ViNghCT296
Looking at his shot chart, Booker’s lone made 3 came from the right wing. He’s 1-of-4 from the right side, 0-of-2 from essentially the top of the key and 0-of-6 from the left wing.
The Phoenix Suns continue their preseason schedule Oct. 10 against the San Antonio Spurs at Mortgage Matchup Center at 7:30 p.m., which will be televised on ESPN.
Unsure about officiating
Suns coach Jordan Ott and forward Dillon Brooks expressed concerns about the officiating, as the NBA has placed points of emphasis on flopping and defenders extending their arms.
"It got so choppy,” said Ott about the third quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Bulls. “I don't know what is a foul and what is not. I think everyone is kind of guessing at this point. We'll figure more of that out as preseason goes along."
Brooks, known for his intense interactions with referees, which factored in him leading the NBA in technical fouls last season with 17, had much more to say than his head coach.
"I think they're trying to reinvent the wheel and it doesn't work like that,” Brooks said. “I hope that it's not just only me. I hope it's every single person, human being that's playing basketball in the NBA is getting that call or they're giving out that call. We'll see how the season goes.”
What call?
“I'm just talking about the push off,” Brooks continued. “The wording is 'with force,' but basketball is played with force. When you're driving and getting to the lane with force. So I don't get that wording. And then 'impact.' How big of an impact that you hit somebody with is going to be called a charge? 'Extending your arm.' Those are the words. That takes away a lot of the game for a lot of players that play a physical game. We'll see how it goes."
"Playing good first halves, but not putting a whole full game together. Turnovers are a big thing right now."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 8, 2026
Dillon Brooks on Suns 0-2 start to preseason after 124-117 loss to Bulls.
Committed 26 turnovers that led 36 Bulls points. Had 32 Monday at Detroit that led to 37… pic.twitter.com/ojiiX5TFqN
Turnover woes
Brooks started rubbing his chin when revealing one of Phoenix’s biggest issues so far this season.
"Playing good first halves, but not putting a whole full game together,” Brooks said. “Turnovers are a big thing right now."
The Suns committed 26 turnovers that led 36 Bulls points.
Against the Pistons, they had 32 turnovers that led to 37 Detroit points.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns notebook. Why is Devin Booker ready to get 'back to the lab?'
