PHOENIX — In a thrilling encounter, Kevin Durant secured victory for the Phoenix Suns with a driving layup just 24 seconds before the final buzzer, leading his team to a narrow 118-116 triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. This game marked the debut for Paul George as a member of the 76ers after he was sidelined for the first five games of the season due to a bone bruise in his left knee.

George managed to contribute 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists in his 32 minutes on the court, although his shooting was not at its best, hitting only 4 of 14 from the field. He had a chance to tie the game in the closing moments but was unable to make the shot.

Durant was the standout performer for Phoenix, scoring a remarkable 35 points, helping the Suns extend their winning streak to five games. In addition to him, Bradley Beal added 17 points to the scoreboard, while Jusuf Nurkic recorded a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

On the other side, Tyrese Maxey was instrumental for Philadelphia, especially with George and All-Star center Joel Embiid absent. Maxey racked up an impressive 32 points, shooting 12 of 22 from the field and hitting 6 of his 14 attempts from beyond the arc. Guerschon Yabusele also made a significant impact off the bench, contributing 19 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Kyle Lowry added 13 points—all scored in the first half—while Kelly Oubre Jr. had 11 points before fouling out.

TAKEAWAYS
For the 76ers, George faced challenges early in the game, struggling with foul issues, but he found his rhythm in the second quarter, scoring 10 points as he adapted to his new team. For the Suns, Beal was a question mark before the game due to a persistent elbow issue that had kept him out for two previous games, but he managed five rebounds in the match.

KEY MOMENT
The decisive moment came when Durant made his basket in the closing moments of the game, sealing the win for the Suns.

KEY STAT
In contrast, Devin Booker had a challenging night, missing all six of his 3-point attempts and hitting only 3 of 18 shots overall. Despite this, he was efficient from the free-throw line, converting all seven attempts to finish with a total of 13 points.

UP NEXT
Both teams will be back in action on Wednesday night, with the 76ers set to face the Los Angeles Clippers while the Suns are scheduled to host the Miami Heat.