Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker successfully recalled the four starters from his 2015 NBA debut during a recent media day challenge. The franchise cornerstone named Brandon Knight, P.J. Tucker, Tyson Chandler, and Markieff Morris, who joined him on the floor for a 111-95 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on October 28, 2015. This moment of reflection comes as Booker enters his 12th season, a stark contrast to the team's current state after a 122-131 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 28, 2026.
Booker worked through the names out loud during the team's media day session. He started confidently with Brandon Knight before pausing on P.J. Tucker. Booker then second-guessed whether Tyson Chandler played that night before correctly adding him and power forward Markieff Morris. All four shared the court with the rookie at what was then called Talking Stick Resort Arena. Chandler did indeed play 27 minutes that night, grabbing 18 rebounds despite Booker's initial doubt.
That debut was a bright spot in a tough season. Booker was just two days shy of his 19th birthday. He scored 14 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes off the bench. That performance made him the first player in NBA history to debut at 18 years old after playing one season of college basketball. None of those four teammates are still in the league today, with Tucker retiring in May after 19 professional seasons.
The gap between that 2015-16 season and now is enormous. That Suns team finished with a 23-59 record, the second-worst in franchise history. Booker has since become the face of the franchise. He's a five-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, and the Suns' all-time leading scorer. He also famously scored 70 points in a game as the youngest player ever to do so and led Phoenix to the 2021 NBA Finals.
The roster around him has completely turned over multiple times. Stars like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have come and gone. This offseason, the Suns brought in Miles Bridges from Charlotte, who has stated his goal is to help Booker chase a championship. Head coach Jordan Ott is now entering his second season leading the team. Booker begins another chapter with a new group, more than a decade removed from his first game.
The nostalgic look back happens amid a challenging recent stretch for the franchise. The team's last result was a 122-131 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 28, 2026. Their recent form shows just one win in their last five outings, a sequence of four consecutive losses. This run includes losses to the Thunder on April 25 (109-121) and April 23 (107-120), and a heavy 84-119 defeat on April 19.
Their sole recent victory was a decisive 135-103 win over those same Thunder on April 13. Before that, they fell 73-101 to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11. This current form shows the constant evolution and pressure to win that defines Booker's long career in Phoenix. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page as the new season approaches.
