In a nail-biting finish, the Phoenix Suns secured yet another close victory, a pattern that’s becoming all too familiar and slightly frustrating for the team throughout the 2023-24 NBA season.
“Yeah, we’ve got to stop doing that,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “It’s getting old … That being said, we enjoy wins. That’s a good win.”
Devin Booker was the star of the night, dropping 32 points. In his return from a back injury, Bradley Beal contributed 16 points as the Suns narrowly defeated the Golden State Warriors 119-116. A comfortable lead was almost lost in the last minute and a half, but Phoenix managed to hold on.
The game was intense when Golden State’s Draymond Green was sent off after a Flagrant two foul against Jusuf Nurkic. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 24 points.
“That had nothing to do with basketball,” Nurkic said. “I’m just out there trying to play basketball.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Devin Booker, Draymond Green, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors Updates
A pivotal moment came when Beal scored in the final seconds of the third quarter, giving the Suns a lead. Phoenix then surged ahead with a 12-0 run, including a stunning reverse dunk by Booker. The Warriors felt losing Green played a significant role in losing momentum.
“Huge swing,” Kerr said of losing Green. “We felt good having him at the 5, spreading the floor. Obviously, that changed the lineup around.”
The Warriors fought back, narrowing the gap to just one point, but Booker’s free throws and a missed three-pointer by Curry kept the Suns ahead. Beal’s free throws sealed the victory. The Suns now boast a 3-0 record against the Warriors this season.
Booker shined throughout, adding seven assists to his impressive scoring. Nurkic contributed significantly with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Devin Booker, Draymond Green, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors Updates
Green’s ejection, his 18th, was a contentious moment. He clashed with Nurkic, resulting in a face hit that led to his dismissal. The incident left Nurkic visibly affected but able to continue playing.
Beal’s return marked a significant moment for the Suns, who are yet to see their trio of Booker, Beal, and Kevin Durant play together due to Durant’s recent injury.
Despite stellar bench performances, with players like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody scoring in double digits, the Warriors couldn’t clinch a win. Curry’s halftime three-pointer and overall lead in scoring for Golden State weren’t enough against the resilient Suns.
