Tension in Phoenix? Mike Budenholzer Addresses Reported Rift with Devin Booker
March 30, 2025 – Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer has responded to reports about a private meeting with Devin Booker, where he allegedly asked the star guard to “tone it down” during games. The request reportedly caught Booker off guard, adding another layer of uncertainty to a Suns team struggling to find consistency.
Budenholzer, addressing the speculation, downplayed any major conflict, emphasizing that his relationship with Booker remains open and communicative.
“His communication is awesome… There’s conversations that Devin and I have all the time, and I’m good with those conversations. We don’t always agree on everything,” Budenholzer said.
However, reports suggest Booker was “completely shocked” by the request, as he prides himself on being a vocal leader for the team. The Suns’ shooting guard responded by highlighting the importance of communication during adversity.
“It could be fixed with just a little bit more talking. When things get tough, we get quiet as a team and, from my experience and what I’ve seen, that’s not the way to get through it,” Booker stated.
Suns Facing On-Court Struggles
The reported tension comes as the Suns continue to struggle, holding a 2-10 record since February. Adding to their woes, Booker has been ruled out of their Christmas Day matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to a left groin strain, further complicating their push for playoff positioning.
With multiple All-Stars also questionable for the holiday slate—including Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White, as well as Dallas’ Luka Dončić—the Suns will need to navigate their current challenges without their leading scorer.
As Phoenix looks to regain momentum, all eyes will be on how Budenholzer and Booker manage their dynamic moving forward. Can the Suns find common ground and turn their season around?
