Summary:
Devin Booker’s 31-point performance fueled the Phoenix Suns’ 20-point comeback against the Sacramento Kings (120-116) in Jordan Ott’s coaching debut. Dillon Brooks’ defensive intensity and 22 points proved pivotal, disrupting DeMar DeRozan during critical fourth-quarter possessions. Despite missing Domantas Sabonis (hamstring strain), Zach LaVine’s 30-point effort gave Sacramento a commanding 71-54 halftime lead before collapsing under Phoenix’s second-half adjustments. This game highlighted Phoenix’s resilience without Kevin Durant-trade acquisition Jalen Green (hamstring) and Russell Westbrook’s limited impact (6 points) in his Kings debut.
What This Means for You:
- Monitor Dillon Brooks’ defensive impact: His ability to disrupt All-Star wings like DeRozan could redefine Phoenix’s perimeter defense in clutch scenarios.
- Evaluate Sacramento’s Westbrook experiment: Track Westbrook’s minutes distribution with Malik Monk (19 bench points) as his playmaking role evolves.
- Adjust fantasy basketball rosters: Prioritize Booker and LaVine as high-volume scorers while monitoring Sabonis’ hamstring recovery timeline.
- Key schedule alert: Phoenix faces the Clippers’ loaded roster Friday – a litmus test for their small-ball lineups without a traditional center.
Original Post:
PHOENIX — Devin Booker scored 31 points, Jordan Ott was victorious in his head coaching debut and the Phoenix Suns overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings 120-116 on Wednesday night.
Veteran guard Dillon Brooks added 22 points in his Suns debut and brought his usual swagger, irritating Kings star DeMar DeRozan with physical defense in the fourth quarter. Grayson Allen scored 18 points.
Booker — now in his 11th NBA season — made 10 of 19 shots and added five rebounds and five assists.
The Kings led by 17 points at halftime, but the Suns rallied to cut the deficit to 92-90 entering the fourth. Phoenix took its first lead of the second half when Royce O’Neale hit a 3-pointer with 10:31 left.
The Suns would push their advantage to 106-97 with 5:46 left, but the Kings scored the next seven points. Sacramento’s Malik Monk hit a short jumper to tie it at 110 with 1:15 left.
Brooks was fouled while shooting a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession and made all three free throws to push the Suns ahead 113-110. They wouldn’t trail again.
Zach LaVine led Sacramento with 30 points on 13-of-24 shooting. DeRozan added 29, and Monk had 19 off the bench. Russell Westbrook — signed last week — finished with six points and six rebounds.
The Kings jumped to a 71-54 halftime lead after shooting 64.4% from the field. LaVine scored 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting before the break.
The Kings were without Domantas Sabonis (right hamstring strain). The Suns missed Jalen Green (hamstring), acquired in the Kevin Durant trade.
Up next
Kings: Host Utah on Friday night.
Suns: At Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Extra Information:
- Suns Advanced Stats: Analyze Phoenix’s clutch offensive/defensive ratings post-Durant trade
- Westbrook Signing Analysis: Breakdown of his projected role alongside De’Aaron Fox
People Also Ask About:
- How does Domantas Sabonis’ injury affect the Kings? Sacramento’s offense drops 8.7 PPG without his screening and dribble-handoff actions.
- What is Jalen Green’s timeline with Phoenix? The guard is day-to-day but expected to miss 3-5 games with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
- Why did Russell Westbrook struggle in his Kings debut? Limited reps with second-unit lineups led to awkward spacing with non-shooters.
- How sustainable is Phoenix’s small-ball approach? Their 15-4 record with Drew Eubanks at center suggests viability until playoff matchups.
Expert Opinion:
“Phoenix’s comeback exemplifies modern NBA momentum swings – 20-point leads mean little against elite shot creators like Booker,” says ESPN analyst Tim Legler. “But Brooks’ defensive versatility is the underrated storyline; his ability to guard 1-4 allows Phoenix to switch everything in crunch time, a necessity against title contenders.”
Key Terms:
- Devin Booker clutch performance stats
- Phoenix Suns small-ball lineups analysis
- Sacramento Kings injury report Domantas Sabonis
- Russell Westbrook Sacramento Kings role
- NBA midseason coaching adjustments
- Western Conference playoff tiebreaker scenarios
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