Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns have now won nine of their last 12 games after defeating the host Golden State Warriors 130-105 on Friday evening.
Suns guard Devin Booker led all players with 31 points and 11 assists. Kevin Durant added 19 points, and center Nick Richards added a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double. Bradley Beal was efficient off the bench with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting.
Phoenix shot 56.2 percent from the field and made 19-of-39 three-pointers. The Suns also had 56 points in the paint to the Warriors’ 36 and 41 assists to Golden State’s 26.
Meanwhile, it was a tough night for the Warriors, who fell to 24-24 with the loss. Stephen Curry had a relatively quiet night with 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting. Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody were Golden State’s top scorers with 17 points apiece.
The Suns held control for nearly the entire game. Phoenix also led by 11 points (62-51) at the half and maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the final two quarters.
This hasn’t been the easiest of years for the Suns, who started the season 8-1 only to endure an 8-18 stretch that included four losing streaks of three games or more. Phoenix has fared far better since then, though.
The Suns still have some work to do in the West, as they sit just ninth in the Western Conference despite their 9-3 run. However, the future may finally be looking bright in town, which was the hope when the Suns brought in Durant via trade in Feb. 2023 and then Beal in another deal four months later.
Fans and analysts were impressed with the Suns’ efforts.
ADHD @ADHDGoat
Devin Booker just had eight 30 points game in January and only 3 games under 20
SG1 demon back pic.twitter.com/vZncdqHS1N
YoungNarrow @NarrowGaming
The Suns have looked scary since Devin Booker remembered he was good at basketball pic.twitter.com/yxF3SjErPc
Suns Are Better @SunsAreBetter
31 PTS on 63.7 TS% w/ 11 AST (to 2 TOV) as a +28 in the W at Golden State.
Devin Booker with the response to the All-Star snub that we were hoping for. pic.twitter.com/d5Gpuy3Ez0
๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ขโ @Stunna999_
Devin Booker tonight
31 pts
5 rebs
11 asts
52% FG
+28
Devin Booker is still SG1 and was snubbed don’t be fooled ๐ pic.twitter.com/iOHa3IuyTR
Booker Muse @DevinBookerMuse
Suns Big 3 tonight:
Durant โ Booker โ Beal โ
19 PTS 31 PTS 21 PTS
6 REB 11 AST 9-12 FG
5-9 3P 12-23 FG 3-3 3P
Each of them had more points than any Warriors player. pic.twitter.com/lKpYbsrChA
Phoenix will continue its road trip Saturday with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Suns will stick in Portland for another matchup Monday before a stiff test against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
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