Suns Star Trio Impresses in Home Debut

Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant gave Phoenix Suns fans quite the show vs. Portland.

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns cruised to a preseason victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, and the team's star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal made their collective debut at the Footprint Center.

“I think the unique part about us three (Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant) that we all have the capability of scoring at the highest level, but we have always played the game the right way," said Booker after the win.

"Even when we were kind of not on our own teams but different teams, we still continued to play the game the right way. It hasn’t been an adjustment, for real. Only thing I tell them is to be more aggressive. Then that will open things up for everyone else.” 

The trio collectively scored 49 points and only played two quarters, pushing the Suns to 76 points before the halftime buzzer ended their night. 

Here's how each fared on an individual basis:

Devin Booker

Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 19 points, two rebounds, four assists, two steals

Booker scored 17 of his team-leading 19 points in the first quarter and quickly assured head coach Frank Vogel he was ready for regular season action, barely playing in the second period while allowing the Suns to get a good look at other members of the backcourt. 

Booker mostly ran the point tonight for Phoenix and was especially active on the defensive side of the court. 

Devin Booker’s third steal plus the perfect pass. pic.twitter.com/gfTZYLAOGk

— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) October 17, 2023

Booker shot 6-11 from the field which included 4-6 from three. 

Suns fans have grown accustomed to Booker's play on both ends, though it's refreshing to see someone of Booker's magnitude show said effort in a meaningless game. 

Make no mistake about it, Booker already looks like he's in mid-season form 

Kevin Durant

Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 19 points, three rebounds, four assists

Durant took a backseat to Booker's offensive showcase but still managed to tie him in points, mostly gaining points from inside the arc on 6-10 shooting on the field (just 1-4 from downtown). 

His shots didn't come easy, but Durant made two beautiful back-to-back tough shots over great defense, proving he's still one brutal assignment.

Kevin Durant be Fr, like how do you guard this😂 pic.twitter.com/iZbvmnzIzT

— 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 ✰ (@Hatedzs) October 17, 2023

Durant is still the 1B behind Booker's 1A in terms of the pecking order, though it's clear he's still an elite level scorer at this stage of his career, and the presence of other stars should only open things up more. 

Bradley Beal

Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 11 points, two assists, two steals

As expected, Beal was the third option behind Durant and Booker on the floor, and though the box score numbers don't exactly show it, his ball movement and ability to attack space slid in nicely alongside his other two co-stars. 

Bradley Beal. 🥶🥶

pic.twitter.com/OdBbofRxRu

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 17, 2023

What was more impressive was Beal's ability to get to the line, as he attempted a team-high nine free throws. 

Operating as a third-scoring option, Beal should thrive in extended action during the regular season.