Game Recap: Phoenix Suns stun the Bucks, 108-106, as Devin Booker drills game-winner

The Phoenix Suns defeat the Milwaukee Bucks on the ultimate shot of the sport 108-106.

The Suns, led by Kevin Durant’s 38 factors, Devin Booker’s playmaking, and Ryan Dunn’s explosive play, stored the Suns’ followers on their toes for almost all of the sport.

Pulling away late within the fourth quarter, the sport appeared over, however the Bucks fought again behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and his dominant efficiency, giving them an opportunity to tie the sport and even seize a victory with out their star, Damian Lillard, taking part in.

It was a bodily sport that got here right down to the final shot. And Devin Booker knocked it down for the victory.

Recreation Stream

First Half

Turning the ball over 3 times within the first two minutes, the Suns seemed like their previous selves. Nonetheless, they managed to maintain the sport inside attain, staying near the Bucks as Booker and Durant hit huge photographs to match Giannis on the opposite finish of the ground.

The turnovers continued to pile up all through the primary quarter, however Booker countered with unimaginable shot-making, whereas Nick Richards offered toughness inside—grabbing rebounds and attending to the road when the Suns wanted a bucket.

Booker had eight factors earlier than heading to the bench for his first break, leaving it as much as Durant to guide the second unit, together with Richards, in conserving the sport shut.

And that they did.

Durant went to the road and knocked down 4 free throws, ending the primary quarter with 11 factors. The Bucks held a five-point lead on the finish of the interval, however regardless of their six turnovers, the Suns have been nonetheless inside hanging distance, exhibiting they’d the struggle to maintain it aggressive.

With out Lillard within the sport, the Bucks struggled to search out high quality photographs early within the second quarter, particularly with Giannis on the bench. The Suns took benefit, outscoring Milwaukee 13-10 within the first 5 minutes, led by Booker’s seven factors.

With Booker resting, Durant returned to shut out the quarter, instantly making an impression with a three-pointer to tie the sport at 43.

Nonetheless, the Bucks responded by turning up the physicality, attacking the rim and utilizing their size—notably via Kyle Kuzma and Giannis—to put on down the Suns’ protection.

Then, turnovers started to stall the Suns’ efforts to take the lead. By the two:23 mark of the second quarter, the Bucks had capitalized on the Suns’ errors, scoring 19 factors off 10 turnovers.

Regardless of making solely 4 three-pointers within the first half, the Suns excelled at limiting Milwaukee’s second-chance alternatives, stopping the Bucks from scoring any factors off offensive rebounds. That was one key space they might hold their hat on heading into the second half.

Second Half

Booker opened up the second half doing every part for the Suns—besides scoring. His hustle, rebounding, and playmaking gave the Suns the momentum they wanted to stick with the Bucks and maintain the sport shut.

One help that stood out early was a superbly timed go that arrange Dunn for a strong dunk over the Greek Freak.

Dunn completed the third quarter with seven factors in what was a fast and low-scoring interval for each groups. Limiting second-chance factors proved harder for the Suns, as they gave up seven within the quarter, however they continued to play with depth, feeding off Dunn’s electrifying dunk—simply the spotlight of the night time.

The Suns held an 81-78 lead coming into the fourth quarter.

Coming into the fourth, the Suns have been a little bit sloppy and unable to get stops and separate themselves from the Bucks. And with performs like this from Kuzma, the Bucks have been too terrible to start out the fourth quarter.

There was loads of standing round on offense from each groups, virtually as in the event that they have been conserving their power for the ultimate two minutes of the sport.

The Suns solely turned the ball over as soon as within the third quarter, however earlier than that, they have been throwing the ball away at will. Then it turned the Dunn present once more.

With one other dunk and a knocked-down three, Dunn gave the Suns a six-point lead, forcing the Bucks to burn a timeout because the Suns gained all of the momentum and tried to run away with it.

The sport was bodily and the refs have been letting them play.

106-106 with ten seconds left. The Suns had the ultimate shot. Booker took the shot, and drilled it for the victory.

The Suns 108, the Bucks 106.

Up Subsequent

The workforce welcomes the World Champs to PHX Area on Wednesday. We’ll see you then.

Hearken to the most recent podcast episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast under. Keep updated on each episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, Castbox.

Please subscribe, fee, and overview.