Devin Booker dazzles with 38 points, but Suns falter in dramatic loss to Warriors
The Phoenix Suns experienced a rollercoaster of emotions on Saturday night, ultimately succumbing to the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biting finish, 119-116. Despite holding a commanding 14-point lead at one point, the Suns found themselves scrambling in the closing seconds, desperately needing a three-pointer to force overtime. However, a fumbled in-bounds play meant they never managed a decent shot, sealing their fate. With this loss, Phoenix falls to a record of 15-13, while the Warriors, breaking a three-game skid, improve to 14-15 and now lead the season series 2-1.
First Quarter Highlights
Devin Booker came out firing, setting the tone early with a hot start. He was instrumental in helping the Suns to a 44-32 lead after the first quarter, but it was Tyrese Haliburton who led all scorers with 12 points in the opening frame. Phoenix’s offensive rhythm was impressive, shooting 17-for-24, showcasing good shot selection that resulted in a season-high for points in a single quarter.
Second Quarter Chaos
The second quarter proved to be a whirlwind at Chase Center. Just two minutes into the period, Draymond Green was ejected after a push on Collin Gillespie, leading to an intense exchange with officials. The atmosphere grew tenser when Booker received a technical foul, reflecting the high stakes of the contest. The Warriors, fueled by the momentum shift, chipped away at the Suns’ lead, narrowing it down to just two possessions by halftime. Despite their struggles, Phoenix managed to take a 67-64 advantage to the locker room, capitalizing on Golden State’s 13 turnovers in the half. Both teams shot above 50% from the field, underscoring the offensive efficiency of the evening.
Third Quarter Momentum Shift
The third quarter saw the tide turn in favor of the Warriors. With the Curry/Butler sets exploiting gaps in Phoenix’s defense, Golden State surged ahead. They not only reclaimed the lead for the first time since the opening quarter but also stretched it to a seven-point advantage, closing the third with a 93-87 edge. The Suns struggled offensively, shooting a mere 5-of-21 during this stretch, while Warriors guard Will Richard shone with 20 points and five rebounds.
Fourth Quarter Tension
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the contest tightened further. Both teams exchanged baskets, but Golden State maintained their lead. With seven minutes left, the Warriors established their first double-digit advantage of the night, prompting a timeout from Suns coach Jordan Ott. Despite the break, Phoenix struggled to close the gap until late in the game. They found themselves down by a single possession with under a minute remaining. Gillespie had a golden opportunity to take the lead with an open three-pointer but missed, allowing Golden State to secure the rebound. Stephen Curry sealed the game with two free throws, while Gillespie managed to hit a three on the next possession. In a frantic final play, an in-bounds pass was fumbled, forcing Booker into a desperate half-court heave that fell short, sealing the Warriors’ victory.
Looking Ahead
The Suns will return to Phoenix for a showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, December 23. Meanwhile, the Warriors will stay home to face the Orlando Magic on Monday, December 22, looking to build on their newfound momentum after this thrilling win.
