The Phoenix Suns are set to welcome their all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker, back into the lineup for an important matchup against a formidable opponent. Booker had been sidelined due to a right groin strain during a recent game where Oklahoma City delivered a crushing 138-89 defeat to Phoenix in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on December 10.

This loss marked the worst in Suns history and came after the Thunder had previously beaten the team 123-119 on November 28 in Oklahoma City. However, the Thunder seem determined to prove that previous victory was not a fluke.

On Sunday night, January 4, the Suns (20-14) will face off against the Thunder again, this time in Phoenix. After a 129-102 home win over Sacramento on January 2, Booker expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to compete.

Before that, the Suns will travel to Houston for a second game of a back-to-back on January 5 against Kevin Durant and the Rockets. So far, the Suns have struggled against both teams, with a 0-2 record against the Thunder (30-5) and the Rockets (21-10).

The immediate focus is on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who present a variety of challenges. Their defense ranks first in the league, often forcing turnovers by speeding up opposing offenses. In the previous loss, the Suns committed 21 turnovers, which led to 34 points for Oklahoma City.

“Taking care of the basketball is one,” said Suns forward Dillon Brooks. “Matching their physicality, two, and making shots is three. We do all those three, we’ll put ourselves in a good position to win the game.”

Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, who is nearly impossible to guard one-on-one. He leads a dynamic offense that excels at shooting threes and creating driving lanes and backdoor opportunities.

“They’re just a well-oiled machine,” said Suns big man Mark Williams. “It doesn’t really matter who is out there for them. They’re true to their principles. They play well and they’re just efficient. Defensively efficient, offensively efficient.”

The Thunder rank fifth in offensive rating and seventh in 3-point shooting percentage at 36.8%.

“Whenever they drive to the basket, more times than not, they get the benefit of the doubt,” Williams said. “Just being solid defensively and trying to not let other factors get to you, and then offensively, staying true to what you do.”

The Suns will once again be without Jalen Green, though he’s getting closer to returning from a right hamstring strain that’s limited him to two games.

But Grayson Allen might be back.

Allen participated in a second 5-on-5 Jan. 3 in looking to return from a right knee injury that’s sidelined him for Phoenix’s past eight games. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

“He played before practice,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said about Allen playing 5-on-5. “That’s been multiple times now. We’ll see. I think everything has been good. Now it’s a little bit of a rhythm to it, too. He’s getting there.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns, with Booker this time, eager to atone for worst-ever loss vs OKC