Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker (1) slaps palms with Kevin Durant (35) after getting back from a deficit through the second half of an NBA basketball sport in opposition to the Washington Wizards in Phoenix, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP Photograph/Darryl Webb)
PHOENIX — Devin Booker shook off a subpar taking pictures evening, scoring 11 of his 27 factors within the fourth quarter, and the Phoenix Suns overcame a 16-point deficit to beat the Washington Wizards 112-108 on Sunday evening within the NBA.
Booker missed six of seven 3-point makes an attempt within the first three quarters, then related on a pair because the Suns got here again from an eight-point deficit to begin the ultimate interval.
“I get annoyed as a result of I need to make each shot I take. However you simply bought to maintain enjoying,” Booker mentioned. “I’ve been doing this a very long time.
“That communication needs to be there, and also you need to take away the layups and pressure groups to make contested mid-range photographs. There’s firepower throughout the league and as soon as the staff will get the early lead and will get confidence you by no means know what can occur.”
Booker additionally had eight assists.
“He had a tricky first three quarters, however it was time for him to take over,” Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned. “It’s when he’s at his greatest.”
Stepback & Splash 💧 pic.twitter.com/HsCYX40rRJ
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2023
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 28 factors, together with a dunk on a three-point play within the last minute. Jusuf Nurkic had 17 rebounds. Drew Eubanks scored 12 factors whereas Jordan Goodwin grabbed eight rebounds and had six assists off the bench.
The Suns have blown a number of fourth quarter leads this season however got here again this time to outscore Washington 31-19 within the fourth to snap a two-game shedding streak and keep above .500 at 14-12.
“Tonight was a step in the precise path,” Durant mentioned. “We need to construct off of it and proceed getting higher.”
The Suns had been 7 of 31 from 3-point vary and dedicated 17 turnovers.
“That could possibly be deflating to anyone,” Durant mentioned of the first-half struggles, which noticed Phoenix path by 16 at one level.
🤯 KEVIN DURANT POSTER ALERT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4hf8hkfWZ4
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2023
“We missed 3s within the first half however I felt like all of them had been open photographs,” he mentioned. “We made extra photographs within the second half and that simply made the whole lot look higher.”
Daniel Gafford had 26 factors and 17 rebounds for the Wizards, who dropped to 4-21 in a failed bid to win consecutive video games for the primary time this season. Washington beat Indiana on Friday evening after shedding 15 of its earlier 16 video games.
“He was unbelievable,” Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. mentioned about Gafford. “He takes a beating some nights and he simply retains going. All the time quarterbacking the protection and defending the rim. He made play after play to maintain us in it.”
Tyus Jones had 22 factors for Washington, and Kyle Kuzma added 17 earlier than fouling out.
Former Wizard Bradley Beal sat out for the Suns after spraining his proper ankle Friday evening in opposition to New York. He had simply returned within the Suns’ earlier sport after lacking 12 video games due to a again damage. Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned earlier than the sport there must be an replace Monday on Beal’s standing.
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With Beal out, Nassir Little made his first begin of the season. Eric Gordon returned to attain 13 factors after lacking the final two video games due to a proper leg contusion.
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Sacramento on Monday evening.
Phoenix: At Portland on Tuesday evening.