Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns passed their first test of the 2023-24 NBA season. Even without Bradley Beal, Phoenix was able to take care of business against the Golden State Warriors in the Bay Area Tuesday night, thanks in large part to the explosive performance of Booker.

“We had to fight for it,” Booker said of the Suns' 108-104 win over Golden State, as he was making their way to the locker room. “We'll take it though.”

Devin Booker paced the Suns with 32 points while connecting on 13 of his 21 shots from the field. He also did a great job creating for his teammates, showing everyone he can handle table-setting duties as well with eight assists, including some key ones down the stretch. With Kevin Durant shooting poorly and Beal sidelined with an injury, Booker took it upon himself to carry most of the load on offense for the Suns. Durant went just 7-for-22 for 18 points.

The Suns took a 15-point lead to halftime but saw the Warriors easily erase that with a 40-point explosion in the third quarter while holding Phoenix to only 19 during that frame. However, the Suns rebounded with a much stronger fourth quarter in which they outscored the home team, 28-18. It took a lot from Booker and the Suns to pull off that victory, but all their effort was rightfully rewarded with a win that should further bolster their confidence.

Up next for the Suns is a date with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena this Wednesday.