PHOENIX — Devin Booker led the Phoenix Suns with 28 points as they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 116-109 on Sunday night, extending Portland’s losing streak to six games.
Kevin Durant contributed 20 points to the Suns’ victory, while Tyus Jones added 19 points and Royce O’Neale, who started in place of the injured Bradley Beal, scored 13 points. For the Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic managed to tally 10 points alongside 14 rebounds.
Anfernee Simons was the top scorer for the Trail Blazers, ending the game with 20 points. Both Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija, coming off the bench, each scored 17 points.
In their last game, the Suns set a season-high with 22 three-pointers against Utah, and while they managed 15 triples on Sunday night, it still proved to be a strong showing. Both Booker and Grayson Allen each contributed four three-pointers to lead the scoring from beyond the arc.
Deandre Ayton, the former Suns number one pick, was absent from the game due to illness, leaving rookie Donovan Clingan to step in as a starter, ending the night with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Suns dominated most of the first half without ever trailing. However, the Trail Blazers began the third quarter with a remarkable 11-0 run, which allowed them to take a brief lead at 62-57. A 3-pointer from Simons gave Portland its first lead early in the quarter, and Shaedon Sharpe capped off the run with a steal leading to a dunk.
In terms of player highlights, Robert Williams III made his return from a concussion and delivered a solid performance with eight points on a perfect shooting night, going 4 for 4 from the field. Blazers coach Chauncey Billups indicated that Williams will be on a minutes restriction for the time being.
On the Suns side, with Beal sidelined due to swelling in his right knee, head coach Mike Budenholzer utilized 12 different players in the game, with 11 finding their way onto the score sheet. Allen was the standout from the bench, contributing 12 points.
A pivotal moment occurred when the Trail Blazers managed to take a five-point lead, but Booker rallied to score 12 points in the third quarter, allowing the Suns to reclaim the lead and maintain it for the remainder of the game.
A notable statistic from the game is that the Suns are 14-11 on the season, with an impressive 13-2 record when Durant is on the court compared to a dismal 1-9 when he is not.
Looking ahead, both teams will return to action on Thursday night, with the Trail Blazers facing the Denver Nuggets and the Suns hosting the Indiana Pacers.
