The Phoenix Suns (19-20) will square off against the Washington Wizards (6-32) on Thursday at 5 p.m., with the game broadcast on Arizona’s Family (Ch. 3 TV). This matchup marks the first game in a home-and-away series between the Suns and the Wizards, with Washington currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, boasting the worst record in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Suns, currently in 11th place in the Western Conference, are looking to bounce back after a tough loss.
This game is also the second leg of a challenging five-game road trip for the Suns, who are dealing with a few key absences. Most notably, Bradley Beal will be sidelined due to a sprained left ankle he sustained during Phoenix’s 122-117 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Despite Beal’s absence, the Suns are still led by their star duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who will have to carry the team’s offense and provide leadership. On Wednesday, Phoenix made a move by trading former backup forward Josh Okogie to acquire center Nick Richards from Charlotte. Richards, who has yet to join the team, is expected to suit up for the Suns' next game against Detroit on Saturday.
Suns Dominate in the Third Quarter
Phoenix truly heated up in the third quarter, continuing their dominant performance against Washington. Heading into the final frame, the Suns had stretched their lead to an impressive 104-83. Devin Booker was on fire, finishing the game with a game-high 27 points, nine of which came in the third quarter. Not to be outdone, Kevin Durant added 10 of his 23 points during the same period, contributing significantly to Phoenix’s growing lead.
Grayson Allen was another key player, contributing 18 points, with an incredibly efficient 7-of-8 shooting from the floor. He was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, knocking down four of the Suns’ nine total three-pointers. Ryan Dunn also had a standout performance, hitting 7-of-9 shots to match his season-high of 16 points. Phoenix’s efficiency was through the roof, with the team making 28 assists on 28 successful field goals. Their shooting percentage stood at an impressive 57.6%, and they nailed 13 out of 25 three-point attempts.
Washington had its moments, with Jordan Poole leading the way with 18 points, while Bilal Coulibaly chipped in 13. However, the Wizards were simply outmatched, especially in the second half when the Suns continued to increase their lead. At one point, Phoenix extended their advantage to 23 points following a smooth baseline jumper from Durant with just over three minutes remaining.
Allen’s Spark Keeps Suns in Control at Halftime
The Suns went into halftime with a solid 69-55 lead, thanks in large part to a blazing hot performance from Grayson Allen, who scored 18 points off the bench on 7-of-8 shooting. This was just five points shy of his season-high, and it was his three-point shooting that really stood out—he nailed four of Phoenix’s nine three-pointers in the first half alone.
Booker and Durant both contributed to the Suns’ scoring in the second quarter, with Booker netting nine of his 18 points and Durant adding 13. Ryan Dunn had his best stretch, scoring all 12 of his points in the second quarter. On the other hand, Jordan Poole was the leading scorer for the Wizards at the half with 14 points.
The Suns’ momentum started early in the game, when Booker hit a mid-range jumper to give Phoenix a 38-23 lead. Washington tried to fight back with an 11-2 run, cutting the Suns’ lead to just six points. But Phoenix responded quickly, thanks to Allen’s five-point run, which included a three-pointer and a steal off Kyle Kuzma that led to a fast-break dunk. By the end of the second quarter, the Suns had shot an impressive 62.8% from the field, including 56.3% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Wizards struggled from deep, shooting just 28.6% on 21 three-point attempts.
Despite Phoenix’s dominance, they did experience some challenges, particularly in the second quarter. The Suns committed seven of their nine turnovers in that period, including four in the final 2:40, which allowed Washington to score 18 points off those giveaways. But even with these mistakes, Phoenix managed to stay ahead, with Durant’s floater pushing their lead to 20 points with three minutes left. However, the Wizards ended the second quarter on a 11-0 run, narrowing the gap just before halftime.
A Strong Start for Phoenix
The Suns came out of the gates hot in the first quarter, quickly building a 34-21 lead to close out the opening period. Grayson Allen was the standout performer in the first quarter, scoring a game-high 10 points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting, including two three-pointers. Both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were in the mix early, with each player contributing nine points to help Phoenix establish an early lead.
The Suns began the game with a bang, jumping out to an 18-3 lead, fueled by an 11-0 run to open the contest. They eventually reached their largest lead of the quarter at 16 points, with just over four minutes left in the period. Jordan Poole was the top scorer for the Wizards in the first quarter, with nine points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to slow down the Suns’ offensive surge.
The Suns’ Starting Lineup
For this game, the Suns are going with their usual starting five: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Tyus Jones, Ryan Dunn, and Mason Plumlee. With the absence of Bradley Beal, Phoenix will rely heavily on Booker and Durant to carry the load, while Tyus Jones will provide the necessary ball handling and playmaking.
On the Wizards’ side, they’ll be starting Jordan Poole, Carlton Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyle Kuzma, and Alexander Sarr, who was the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft. Despite their struggles this season, the Wizards still have some talent on the roster, with Poole and Kuzma capable of putting up big numbers on any given night.
Injuries and Absences
One notable absence for Phoenix is Jusuf Nurkic, who remains out sick after contracting the flu. This is the third consecutive game that the Suns will be without their reserve big man. Coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned that Nurkic might rejoin the team for the final game of the road trip against Brooklyn next Wednesday. Before being sidelined, Nurkic was removed from the starting lineup.
For the Wizards, Marvin Bagley III is out with a knee injury, and Malcolm Brogdon is sidelined with a foot issue. While these absences certainly impact Washington’s depth, it’s been a season full of struggles for them, and they’ll need some extraordinary performances to keep up with the Suns.
What’s Next for the Suns?
Looking ahead, the Suns are focusing on continuing their road trip with a game in Detroit on Saturday. Nick Richards, who was recently traded from Charlotte, is expected to join the team by then, adding some depth to their frontcourt. The Suns will need to maintain their strong play, particularly with Beal out, and keep their offense humming if they want to move up the standings in the highly competitive Western Conference.
In the meantime, fans can expect another exciting game from Durant, Booker, and Allen, who have shown they can take over when needed. With a team-first mentality, strong defense, and a potent offense, the Suns will look to build on their momentum and continue their push for a playoff spot.
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