The Phoenix Suns (12-8) lost Kevin Durant to injury but held off the San Antonio Spurs (11-10) with a 104-93 win on December 4. The Spurs fell to 2-2 in Group B and were eliminated from the NBA Cup. The Suns, however, finished second at 3-1 and had a chance to advance but were knocked out after Dallas defeated Memphis.
Durant left with a sprained ankle in the second quarter and did not return. He finished with 13 points. Devin Booker took over for the Suns, racking up 29 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Bradley Beal added 10 points and 9 rebounds while Tyus Jones contributed 16 points.
Victor Wembanyama had a rough night, scoring just 15 points while going 1-for-9 from three-point range. But he still made his presence felt, pulling down 13 rebounds and adding 7 assists. Stephon Castle chipped in 16. Jeremy Sochan returned from injury and contributed 14 points with 12 rebounds while Devin Vassell dropped 25 points, including 4-for-5 from three.
Booker and Jones Spearheaded the Suns’ Attack
The Suns looked dominant early on, opening the game with an 11-0 run. The Spurs tried to rally but Booker kept Phoenix ahead with his hot shooting. Durant kept the momentum going for the Suns in the second, scoring 10 before he was taken out of the game. The Spurs took advantage, closing within 6 but Jones stemmed the tide with a flurry of baskets and re-established a 13-point lead.
Wemby broke out of his slump in the third, scoring 10 points after a 0-for-7 shooting in the first half, helping the Spurs pull within (57-59). The Suns countered with an 8-0 run but San Antonio trimmed the deficit back to 4. The Suns exploded in the fourth, going on a 15-2 run and extending their lead to (90-73). The Spurs made one last stand with Vassell hitting three straight three-pointers to cut the lead down to 8. But the Suns held on for the win.
The Suns travel to New Orleans on Friday, while the Spurs host the Bulls.
