Suns' Devin Booker Reveals Secret to Flipping Switch for NBA Play-In Tournament

Phoenix star shares mental approach to elevating his game for the postseason push.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:49am

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring vibrant neon brushstrokes and splatters of color, capturing the raw energy and athleticism of a basketball player in motion, with their face and jersey number obscured by the dynamic, energetic style.As the Phoenix Suns prepare for their first NBA Play-In tournament appearance, star guard Devin Booker's ability to elevate his game and lead his team through offensive struggles will be crucial to their postseason hopes.Houston Today

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker opened up about how he and his teammates have mentally prepared for the upcoming NBA Play-In tournament, emphasizing the need to quickly bounce back from offensive lulls and maintain a playoff-level intensity in the final regular season games.

Why it matters

The Suns have clinched the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, setting up their first-ever appearance in the NBA Play-In tournament. As the team's best player and lone Finals veteran, Booker's leadership and ability to elevate his game will be crucial to the Suns' postseason hopes.

The details

Booker revealed that the team's preparation for the Play-In began in March, when he shared advice with teammate Jalen Green about maintaining focus and intensity as the regular season winds down. Booker noted that the team's recent games have had a 'playoff-type feel,' citing their narrow victory over the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks as an example of needing to quickly bounce back from offensive struggles.

  • The Suns clinched the No. 7 seed with their 112-107 win over the Mavericks on April 9, 2026.
  • Booker shared his mental approach to the Play-In tournament in a postgame interview on April 9, 2026.

The players

Devin Booker

The star shooting guard for the Phoenix Suns and the team's best player, who has previous NBA Finals experience.

Jalen Green

A Suns guard who Booker has mentored, and who exited the Mavericks game with a knee injury.

Jordan Goodwin

A Suns player who also exited the Mavericks game with an ankle injury.

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What they’re saying

“These last games, the level is raised almost to a playoff-type feel. Houston was a great example, and you see it a lot in playoff games where the quicker you can get out of those funks, it's a game of runs.”

— Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns Guard

What’s next

The Suns will have six days to prepare for their first NBA Play-In tournament game, which will determine their seeding for the playoffs.

The takeaway

Devin Booker's leadership and ability to elevate his game will be crucial for the Phoenix Suns as they make their first-ever appearance in the NBA Play-In tournament, with the veteran guard emphasizing the need to quickly bounce back from offensive struggles and maintain a playoff-level intensity.