BROOKLYN, NY — The Phoenix Suns got one of their easiest victories of the season tonight, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 108-84. Devin Booker led the way for Phoenix with 32 points, and Kevin Durant chipped in 24. Nick Richards also had a bounce-back game after struggling in Cleveland, he had eight points to go along with 11 rebounds.
While Brooklyn was down nine players, the Valley has struggled to put away inferior competition this season, their win tonight was encouraging because they did what a team led by Booker and Durant is supposed to do; put away lesser opponents. Just six days ago, the Suns let the struggling Washington Wizards creep back into a game they had no business in at the end; tonight they held their lead firm throughout the final frame, allowing Kevin Durant to get some extra rest and not play at all in the final quarter.
The Valley is now 22-21 on the year and finished their longest road trip of the season 3-2. Phoenix is now 6-2 in their last eight games. The victory was the team’s second-largest of the season.
GAME FLOW
First Half
The Valley got off to an early 14-2 lead. Phoenix got every shot it wanted, and the Nets couldn’t buy a basket. The Suns forced Brooklyn into four turnovers in the first quarter. Kevin Durant led the charge for the Valley, scoring 11 points. Nick Richards surpassed his four rebound total from the last game in one quarter with five boards in the first quarter as the Suns were up 28-16. It was a relatively clean quarter for the Valley, and the Phoenix media took notice.
A rare Suns quarter in that they mostly played fine but limited offensive rebounds, transition opportunities and turnovers, so they are up a dozen like they should be.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 23, 2025
To start the second quarter, both teams started slow, making errant passes and bad shots. Due to a stagnant Suns offense, Brooklyn was able to cut the Phoenix lead into a one possession game. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant were continuing leading the charge, getting timely baskets to help the Suns keep the lead, however. The Nets hanging around felt eerily similar to the Valley’s game last week against the Washington Wizards where the Valley was up by 21 entering the fourth and the team let Washington cut the lead to three in the waning moments before pulling out a close victory.
Despite the sloppy and uninspiring play, the Suns led 54-42 at half.
HALFTIME: Suns up 54-42KD:19 pointsBooker: 9 points
Nick Richards: 8 rebounds
— Holden Sherman (@HoldenSherman1) January 23, 2025
Second Half
Booker and Durant continued to be the engines of the Suns’ offense, keeping the Suns’ lead intact and stopping any Brooklyn runs. The two combined for 16 points in the quarter, over 50% of the Valley’s offense in the third.
Back-to-back Dunks by Keon Johnson and Mason Plumlee animated a mostly quiet Brooklyn crowd at the end of the third, as Phoenix went into the fourth leading 82-68. The Valley had a firm lead, but with an inconsistent group like they are, a Brooklyn comeback lingered.
After three: Suns up 82-68KD: 24 pointsBooker: 20 points
Phoenix seems to be on their way to a victory, but you never know with them sometimes. Even if they win, they could let the Nets make it interesting in the final frame.
— Holden Sherman (@HoldenSherman1) January 23, 2025
Nick Richards showed off his inside game to start the fourth, scoring the Suns first four points of the quarter. Unlike their game against the Wizards, the Valley was able to control the final frame and sail to an easy 108-84 win. Collin Gillespie, Bol Bol, and Damion Lee were able to get minutes, and Kevin Durant didn’t have to play at all during the fourth. The Brooklyn crowd was very excited to see Bol get in the game at the end.
Bol Bol is getting MVP chants…
— Holden Sherman (@HoldenSherman1) January 23, 2025
Up Next
The Suns will get their longest break between games in nearly a month when they head home to face the Washington Wizards in the first game of their three-game home stand. After the Valley plays Washington, they’ll have 11 straight games against Western Conference opponents after playing their last six against Eastern Conference opponents.
