The Phoenix Suns (5-1) squandered a 26-point lead in the fourth, but they found a way to hang on for a 103-97 finish over the Portland Trailblazers (2-5) on November 3.
Devin Booker paced the Suns with 28 points, adding 9 rebounds and 9 assists for a well-rounded performance. Bradley Beal returned to action, chipping in 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Grayson Allen ignited the bench with 18 points. But the night belonged to Kevin Durant, who not only added 21 points but also achieved a historic milestone: his 10,000th career field goal. He joined LeBron James as the only active player to reach this mark.
Meanwhile, Anfernee Simons took control for the Blazers, scoring 20 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. Jerami Grant backstopped him with 20 points and 7 rebounds while DeAndre Ayton controlled the paint with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Booker and Durant powered the Suns
The first quarter was a stalemate, but Kevin Durant, fueled by a hot hand from beyond the arc, propelled the Suns in the second, as they raced out to a (29-18) lead. But Portland caught fire late in the quarter, hitting 5 consecutive three-pointers on a 17-4 run to snatch a 4-point lead at halftime.
The Suns ignited a fiery third quarter, raining three-pointers from all angles. They quickly reclaimed the lead, 57-54, before Durant, building on his strong second quarter, added 7 more points, pushing the advantage to (64-56). The three-point barrage continued, as the Suns blew the game wide open at (80-58). They finished the quarter a blistering 9-for-18 from beyond the arc.
The Suns, led by Booker, extended their lead to a commanding (93-67), seemingly on complete control. But the Blazers refused to fold as Simons unleashed a 10-point outburst, sparking a 17-4 run that cut the deficit to (84-97). Jerami Grant then joined the fray, helping the Blazers close to within (89-97) while Banton made huge plays down the stretch to bring them to (97-99). But in the end, the Suns hung on for the win.
Up Next
The Suns host the Sixers on Tuesday while the Blazers travel to New Orleans.
