PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix Suns staged an impressive comeback on Sunday night, overcoming a 16-point deficit to defeat the Washington Wizards 112-108. The Suns, who had been struggling with consistency, showed resilience and determination to snap a two-game losing streak, improving their record to 14-12.
Devin Booker, despite experiencing a challenging shooting night, was pivotal in the Suns’ fourth-quarter resurgence, scoring 11 of his 27 points in the final period. His performance was particularly noteworthy given his earlier struggles, where he missed six of seven 3-point attempts in the first three quarters.
The Suns started the final quarter with an eight-point deficit but managed to outscore the Wizards 31-19, demonstrating a strong finish that has been lacking in some of their previous games. This fourth-quarter rally was crucial in securing their victory.
Kevin Durant was the top scorer for the Suns with 28 points, delivering key plays including a dunk on a three-point play in the dying minutes of the game. Jusuf Nurkic dominated the boards with 17 rebounds, while Drew Eubanks added 12 points. Jordan Goodwin made significant contributions off the bench, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out six assists.
The Suns had to overcome not just the deficit but also their own shooting woes, as they were 7 of 31 from the 3-point line and committed 17 turnovers. Despite these challenges, they displayed a commendable ability to bounce back and secure the win.
For the Wizards, Daniel Gafford had an outstanding game with 26 points and 17 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory for his team. The Wizards, who are struggling this season with a 4-21 record, were aiming to win consecutive games for the first time but fell short. Tyus Jones scored 22 points for Washington, and Kyle Kuzma added 17 before fouling out.
The Suns played without Bradley Beal, who was sidelined with a sprained right ankle sustained in a previous game against New York. Beal’s absence was a significant loss for the Suns, as he had only recently returned from a back injury that kept him out for 12 games. Nassir Little stepped up in his first start of the season, and Eric Gordon returned from a leg contusion to contribute 13 points.
Looking forward, the Suns will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, while the Wizards will take on the Sacramento Kings on Monday. This victory for Phoenix serves as a much-needed boost, demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity and close out games effectively.
