Suns Extend Streak with Dominant Win Over Wizards
The Phoenix Suns continue their impressive run this season, notching a fourth consecutive victory with a commanding 115-101 triumph over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. With this win, the Suns improved their record to 19-13 while the Wizards fell to a dismal 7-24.
Offensive Rebounding Sets the Tone
Despite missing Mark Williams due to suspension, the Suns demonstrated relentless energy on the offensive boards, securing 19 offensive rebounds. This effort translated into a substantial edge in second-chance points, where they outscored the Wizards 26-10. Phoenix’s ability to capitalize on these opportunities played a critical role in maintaining their lead, especially as Washington threatened to narrow the gap in the final quarter.
Balanced Scoring Fuels the Offense
The Suns showcased a well-rounded offensive performance with multiple contributors stepping up. Dillon Brooks led the charge with an impressive 26 points, while Collin Gillespie closely followed with 25 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting, alongside six assists. Devin Booker added to the scoring with 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Other notable contributions came from Royce O’Neale with 15 points and Jordan Goodwin, who contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. In his starting role replacing Williams, Oso Ighodaro made his presence felt on the glass, recording 10 rebounds.
On the opposing side, rookie Tre Johnson shined for the Wizards, marking a career-high with 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. However, the Suns effectively contained last season’s No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr, limiting him to just two points despite his strong season thus far.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The game began with the Suns taking a narrow 15-11 lead at the first timeout, having out-rebounded the Wizards 8-3 early on. However, Washington responded with a 12-2 run, taking control briefly. The first quarter concluded with the Wizards leading 23-22, driven by Bilal Coulibaly’s seven points, while the Suns struggled from the field, shooting only 29.6%.
The second quarter saw the Suns regroup as Brooks and Booker re-entered the game, helping to establish a rhythm and retake the lead. A pivotal three-pointer from Booker with 3:52 left in the half put Phoenix ahead 46-44. They capped off the half with a late 6-0 run, leading 61-54, bolstered by strong three-point shooting and dominance on the boards, with a notable 13 offensive rebounds.
As the third quarter commenced, the Suns ignited offensively, building a 15-point lead. Despite shooting only 30.8% from the field in the period, they maintained a slim 87-79 advantage heading into the final quarter, with Gillespie leading the team in scoring with 19 points at that point.
In the fourth quarter, a surge from the Wizards brought the Suns’ lead down to just four points with 9:14 left. However, Brooks hit a crucial three-pointer to push the lead back to nine. Booker then extended the advantage further with a long two-pointer, effectively sealing the game with a 108-95 lead in the waning minutes. Brooks was instrumental in the final period, contributing 10 points to secure the 14-point victory.
Looking Ahead
The Suns will aim to maintain their winning momentum as they wrap up their four-game road trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. With their offensive rebounding prowess and balanced scoring, the Suns are poised to continue their ascent in the standings.
