PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets 120-113 on Sunday night, thanks in large part to a strong finish from Devin Booker, who contributed 30 points, and Kevin Durant, who added 27. This victory marks the Suns’ third consecutive win and their fourth in the last five games, while the Hornets have sadly stumbled with 10 losses out of their last 11 contests.
Charlotte, aiming for a second victory over the Suns in just over a week, initially took the lead with a score of 98-93 at the end of the third quarter and maintained control for a significant portion of the fourth quarter. However, Durant delivered a crucial stepback jumper, which propelled the Suns to a narrow 111-110 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
In a pivotal play, Durant assisted rookie Oso Ighodaro for a dunk, pushing the Suns ahead 115-113. Royce O’Neale then solidified the lead with a critical 3-pointer, bringing the score to 118-113 with 41.5 seconds left on the clock.
The Hornets were coming off a victory against the Suns just last Tuesday, where they had secured a win of 115-104 at home. They were expecting to compete against the Lakers and Clippers later in the week, but those games were delayed due to the wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area.
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 25 points, while Mark Williams achieved a season-best performance with 24 points and 16 rebounds, recording an impressive 22 points and 13 rebounds during the first half alone.
Takeaways from the game reveal it was a challenging defeat for Charlotte, which managed to control most of the match but struggled with their shot selection in critical moments.
On the flip side, the Suns faced difficulties throughout the game but demonstrated resilience in the final moments, ultimately clinching the win. Notably, Grayson Allen scored 13 points in the first half but did not return in the second half due to left knee discomfort.
A significant moment occurred when Durant exhibited trust in Ighodaro by passing him the ball for a crucial dunk, showcasing the growth within the team during pressing situations.
A key stat from the game highlights Ighodaro’s impactful performance, as he netted eight points in the fourth quarter, providing the Suns with much-needed interior presence.
Looking ahead, the Hornets will travel to Utah for a matchup on Wednesday night, while the Suns are set to face Atlanta on Tuesday night.
