PHOENIX, AZ – In a remarkable display of resilience, the Phoenix Suns, led by Kevin Durant’s crucial free throws, overcame a significant deficit to defeat the Sacramento Kings 119-117 on Tuesday night. The Suns, trailing by 17 points late in the game, engineered a remarkable 23-4 run to clinch the victory.
Durant, who contributed 27 points, played a pivotal role in the Suns’ comeback, including sinking two free throws with just 1.8 seconds left on the clock. His performance, coupled with Grayson Allen’s exceptional showing, where he tied a franchise record with nine 3-pointers and scored 29 points, was central to the Suns’ success.
The game, which Durant described as a “blur,” saw the Suns shift gears dramatically in the final quarter. Their strategic adjustments, especially in pressuring Kings’ Domantas Sabonis and forcing Sacramento to shift to a more individualistic playstyle, were crucial in turning the tide.
Devin Booker’s contribution was notable, with 16 points and 11 assists, alongside Bradley Beal’s 13 points and Jusuf Nurkic’s double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds. The Suns’ collective effort was epitomized in the critical moments of the fourth quarter, highlighting their depth and resilience.
The Kings, despite leading by 22 points with just over eight minutes to play, could not stave off the Suns’ intense comeback. Durant’s pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter ignited the rally, further fueled by Eric Gordon’s back-to-back 3-pointers, tying the game at 115. Gordon’s clutch performance off the bench, scoring 13 points, was a testament to the Suns’ depth.
Suns coach Frank Vogel praised his team’s mental fortitude, acknowledging the modern NBA’s unpredictability and the capability of teams to overturn substantial deficits. Durant’s late free throws, which gave the Suns their first lead since the opening minutes, were decisive, despite De’Aaron Fox’s attempt to keep the Kings in contention with a game-high 33 points.
The Kings’ Domantas Sabonis marked another milestone with his 11th triple-double of the season, while Keegan Murray, Sasha Vezenkov, and Malik Monk made significant contributions. However, their efforts were overshadowed by the Suns’ astonishing comeback.
Kings coach Mike Brown reflected on the loss, highlighting the need for his team to maintain their offensive fluidity and learn from their mistakes in the game’s crucial stages.
Looking ahead, the Kings face a quick turnaround as they host Indiana on Thursday, while the Suns take their winning momentum on the road to face New Orleans on Friday.
