The Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers are all set to meet on Tuesday for the Western Conference play-in tournament. For Phoenix, it is their ultimate shot at the playoffs after missing out on it last year.
As for Devin Booker, it is a bit more personal.
He will face a $134.4 million guard, with whom he shares history. Of course, Booker had a lot to say about him before tip-off.
Devin Booker Heaps Praise on Jrue Holiday Ahead of Suns vs. Trail Blazers Play-In Matchup
Devin Booker was full of praise when talking about Jrue Holiday ahead of Tuesday’s first play-in game. Without holding back, he said, “We’ve competed at the highest level and then competed together at the highest level right after. Someone that I have ultimate respect for. In my opinion, one of the most underrated players to ever play the game. Always enjoy it.”
The duo shares a lot of history. The last time they played against each other in a crucial game was in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Most fans remember that nail-biting Game 5, where Holiday stripped the ball from Booker with just 16 seconds remaining on the clock. He quickly lobbed it ahead to Giannis Antetokounmpo in transition and sealed a 123-119 win for the Bucks.
Just three years later, they were teammates at the 2024 Paris Olympics, doing the country proud and winning a gold medal.
Today, they are on opposing ends once again.
Holiday averages 16.3 points and 6.1 assists this season for Portland. He is a true veteran in the game, an anchor for the team’s roster that’s built around youth. He’s the one most likely to draw the Booker assignment defensively on Tuesday.
Holiday has done it before, and he knows exactly how to make it uncomfortable for Booker.
Booker, on the other hand, comes in at 26.1 points with a 6.0-assist average this season. He’s leading Phoenix single-handedly, especially after losing Kevin Durant and missing the playoffs entirely in the 2024-25 season.
The Suns now enter the play-in tournament as slight favorites over the 42-40 Trail Blazers.
There’s only one small concern amid all this. Booker sat out Phoenix’s last two regular-season games with a right ankle injury. His availability for Tuesday isn’t in doubt, but it’s worth monitoring how he moves early.
Portland, meanwhile, closed its regular season strongly, with Holiday contributing 23 points and 7 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
