Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with Tyus Jones (21) after Jones scored during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Kevin Durant scored 24 points in three quarters against his former team Wednesday night and the Phoenix Suns ended an NBA five-game road trip with a wire-to-wire 108-84 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in New York.
Nearly two years after getting his trade request granted, Durant helped the Suns conclude a 3-2 road trip and win for the seventh time in 10 games to go back over .500 at 22-21. The superstar made 8 of 15 field-goal attempts, hit four 3-pointers and added eight rebounds along with three assists in 30 minutes.
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Devin Booker put up 12 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter for the Suns, who shot 47.7 percent and led by double digits for the entire second half. Booker made 14 of 24 shots, scored at least 30 for the sixth time in seven games and ensured Durant could enjoy the final 12 minutes comfortably on Phoenix’s bench.
Brooklyn Nets’ Tyrese Martin (13) defends Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Durant and Booker were the only Phoenix players to reach double figures as Bradley Beal (sprained left ankle) sat out. Nick Richards collected 15 rebounds for the Suns.
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The Nets had nine players available and saw their home losing streak reach nine games. Brooklyn also lost for the 10th time in 11 games and dropped to 5-21 since a 10-point win at Phoenix on Nov. 27.
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Cameron Johnson, who was acquired in the Durant deal, sat out with a sprained right ankle for the eighth time in 10 games. D’Angelo Russell missed the game with left hamstring tightness, and Ben Simmons sat out due to an illness.
Keon Johnson led the Nets with 20 points and Jalen Wilson added 15. Dariq Whitehead got some extended playing time and contributed 12 points while Nic Claxton collected 10 and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who shot 37.4 percent from the floor.
Durant had 11 points as the Suns held a 28-16 lead through the opening quarter. Brooklyn sliced the gap to 39-36 on a basket by Whitehead with 3:51 remaining in the second period, but the Suns held a 54-42 lead entering halftime after Durant hit a 3-pointer from the left side with two seconds left.
After taking an 82-68 lead into the fourth, the Suns finished it off when consecutive treys by Booker upped the lead to 92-74 with 7:45 left. Booker sent many to the exits with a layup that hiked Phoenix’s lead to 100-76 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining, and he took a seat for the rest of the night. –Field Level Media
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