Booker Excited for Playoff Rematch with Holiday

Suns star looks forward to facing veteran Blazers guard in Play-In Tournament

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant orange, purple, red, and black colors.Two of the Western Conference's top guards, Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday, prepare to face off in a crucial Play-In Tournament matchup with playoff implications.Phoenix Today

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is excited to face off against Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday in the upcoming NBA Play-In Tournament. The two have a history of competing against each other, including in the 2021 NBA Finals when Holiday's Milwaukee Bucks defeated Booker's Suns. Booker praised Holiday as one of the most underrated players in the league and is looking forward to another high-level matchup between the two.

Why it matters

The Suns-Blazers Play-In game will feature a compelling individual matchup between two of the Western Conference's top guards. Booker and Holiday have a history of competing at the highest levels, including the Olympics and NBA Finals, making this an anticipated showdown between two elite players.

The details

The Suns have bounced back this season after losing Kevin Durant, earning a spot in the Play-In Tournament. They will face a tough Portland team led by veteran guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday was a key part of the Bucks' 2021 championship team, most notably making a crucial defensive play to steal the ball from Booker late in the Finals. Booker has immense respect for Holiday's game and is excited to compete against him again with a playoff berth on the line.

  • The Suns and Blazers will face off in the NBA Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2026.

The players

Devin Booker

The star player for the Phoenix Suns, who has led the team back to the playoffs after they missed the postseason last year.

Jrue Holiday

The veteran guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, who was a key part of the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 NBA championship team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've competed at the highest level. We've competed together at the highest level at the Olympics. Someone that I have ultra respect for. One of the most underrated players to ever play the game.”

— Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns Star

What’s next

The winner of the Suns-Blazers Play-In game will advance to the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The takeaway

This matchup between Booker and Holiday is an intriguing individual battle between two of the Western Conference's top guards. Their history of competing at the highest levels, including the Olympics and NBA Finals, adds extra intrigue to this crucial Play-In Tournament game with playoff implications.