PHOENIX — Devin Booker nailed a mid-range jumper with just 2.4 seconds left on the clock, propelling the Phoenix Suns to a 108-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. This win marks the fourth consecutive triumph for the Suns, and it’s a pivotal one as they strive to maintain their place in the Western Conference play-in tournament with only 10 games left in the regular season.
Kevin Durant was stellar, contributing 38 points, while Booker added 19 points, culminating in the decisive 20-foot jumper following an in-bounds pass with mere seconds to spare. Brook Lopez’s attempt at a turnaround jumper at the buzzer went awry, allowing the Suns to escape with the win after an exhilarating conclusion to the game. The Bucks were primarily steered by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who notched 31 points, with Lopez pitching in an additional 23 points.
Late-game drama heightened when Milwaukee’s Kyle Kuzma sunk a corner 3-pointer while drawing a foul from Durant, successfully completing a 4-point play that gave the Bucks a 105-103 lead. Durant answered with a 3-pointer with only 26.2 seconds left, nudging the Suns ahead 106-105. Lopez then managed to split his pair of free throws with 10.7 seconds remaining, knotting the game at 106 apiece and setting the stage for Booker’s clincher.
Durant was instrumental in the third quarter, amassing 13 points and helping the Suns head into the fourth quarter with an 81-78 advantage.
**Takeaways**
For the Bucks, the narrow loss is a setback in their quest for higher playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference, as they vie for spots between No. 3 and No. 6 alongside teams such as the Knicks, Pacers, and Pistons.
Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Suns continues to experiment with player rotations to find the right supporting cast for Booker and Durant. While the current rotation of Nick Richards, rookie Ryan Dunn, and Collin Gillespie isn’t perfect, it has proven more effective as the season progresses.
**Key Moment**
A standout play involved Ryan Dunn executing an impressive one-handed dunk over Antetokounmpo during the third quarter, securing a brief 68-67 lead for the Suns.
**Key Stat**
The Suns notably dominated the boards with a 52-36 rebounding advantage.
**Up Next**
The Bucks will head to play against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, while the Suns will entertain the Boston Celtics at home, also on Wednesday.