SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga delivered an outstanding performance with 34 points, including the decisive free throw that led the Golden State Warriors to a 109-105 victory against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
In a nail-biting finish, the Warriors were trailing by one when Kuminga was fouled by Kevin Durant while trying to establish position during an out-of-bounds play with 29 seconds remaining. Kuminga successfully sank both free throws, pulling Golden State ahead while also matching his career-high in points, which he set just a day earlier against the Clippers.
Despite Durant’s impressive 31-point outing for the Suns, he was unable to convert a crucial shot at the opposite end of the court. Following this, Dennis Schroder capitalized on a loose ball foul committed by Phoenix, sealing the game by making two free throws.
The Suns had a 65-61 lead at halftime, with Stephen Curry contributing 22 points and making a remarkable one-handed floater over seven-footer Oso Ighodaro just before the first-half buzzer, after showcasing exceptional skill by splitting two defenders with a behind-the-back move.
Phoenix was missing Jusuf Nurkic due to a three-game suspension stemming from an altercation during a game against the Mavericks, and in a further setback, Royce O’Neale exited in the second quarter with an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, Warriors’ guard Brandin Podziemski also did not see any action in the second half due to a lower abdominal strain.
Key observations revealed that the Suns have struggled, losing five of their last six games and falling below .500 for the first time this season after starting out strong with an 8-1 record. On the other hand, the Warriors celebrated a vital victory as they commenced a six-game homestand following a rough patch that saw them lose six out of seven games.
A significant turning point in the game was the Warriors’ defensive effort, as they managed to shut out the Suns from scoring a field goal in the final 6:48 of the game, which was instrumental in their fourth-quarter comeback.
An important stat showed that this matchup marked the Warriors’ league-leading 21st clutch game of the season. They improved their record to 9-12 in tightly contested games decided by five points or fewer in the last five minutes, highlighting the intensity of their recent performances; eight of their last nine games have been classified as clutch.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will be hosting the Cavaliers on Monday, while the Suns will welcome the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
