Suns' Devin Booker to Teammate: 'Why Aren't You Running Back?'

Devin Booker needs more from his teammates.

PHOENIX -- One play just summed up the entire start to the Phoenix Suns' 2023-24 season, and the frustration behind it was picked up for an entire national audience to hear. 

With the Suns down double digits to the Dallas Mavericks early in the third quarter and needing to build momentum, Devin Booker found Chimezie Metu on a pass in the middle of the floor before Metu tried to swing it back out to Booker, turning the ball over and seeing Luka Doncic steal/score at the other end. 

Booker was the only Suns player to chase after Doncic despite the bucket, and he had some words for Metu:

"Why aren't you running back? You just turn the ball over and don't run back?" 

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The Suns ultimately lost 128-114 - and though that play will mostly be remembered by fans - Metu actually had a strong game coming off the bench with 23 points and 19 rebounds. 

Booker himself finished with 20 points and 10 assists. Grayson Allen paced Phoenix in scoring with 32 points. 

Frustration is certainly building in the Valley as the Suns drop below .500 with a 14-15 record.

“Just poor rotations, poor gameplan discipline. When we do what we are supposed to do out there, it works. Then as the game goes on, we just lose focus," Booker said following the game.

“It takes five people; one slip up will leave an open shooter. That is all it takes in the NBA. Five people have to be on a string and the communication has to be high.”