PHOENIX SUNS

Without Warren, Canaan, Suns can’t keep up with Spurs

Jan 5, 2018, 9:15 PM | Updated: 9:17 pm

San Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes, left, and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, scramble for...

San Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes, left, and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, scramble for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 103-89. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SAN ANTONIO — Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili each scored 21 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat Phoenix 103-89 on Friday night for their ninth straight win at home over the Suns.

Ginobili joined Vince Carter as the only 40-year-old players to score 20 points off the bench. He shot 7 for 10 from the field in setting a season high for points.

The Spurs were without starters LaMarcus Aldridge, who sat out for rest, and an injured Danny Green, but had 15 steals and six blocks against the Suns while shooting 47 percent.

Devin Booker had 21 points and Marquese Chriss added 12 for Phoenix.

San Antonio went on a 23-6 run after falling behind by eight points two minutes into the second quarter.

Leonard had eight points during the run in his most complete game of the season, especially on the defensive end. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year set a season high with three blocks and tied his season best with four steals.

Leonard ran down Booker from behind to block a layup early in the first quarter and minutes later stepped in front of Tyson Chandler for a steal that led to a breakaway dunk.

The Spurs made their first three shots, including a pair of 3-pointers by Kyle Anderson and Bryn Forbes, who started for Aldridge and Green.

Forbes finished with 16 points and Pau Gasol added 15.

TIP-INS

Suns: F T.J. Warren did not play after being listed as questionable due to an illness. . Phoenix was also without F Jared Dudley (illness). . The Suns have made a 3-pointer in 1,099 consecutive games since March 29, 2004. It’s the second-longest streak in NBA history to Dallas’ 1,108 straight from Feb. 27, 1999, to Dec. 12, 2012. . The Spurs have won 12 of the last 13 in the series. Phoenix’s last win in San Antonio was Feb. 27, 2013. Jermaine O’Neal had 22 points in the 105-101 victory.

Spurs: Aldridge has missed only two games this season, both for rest. . Green missed his second straight game and seventh overall with tightness in his left groin. . Joffrey Lauvergne exited with 2:56 left in the first half after colliding nose to forehead with Chriss, but returned to the Spurs bench midway through the third quarter. He played seven minutes in the fourth, finishing with three points and six rebounds in 15 minutes.

UP NEXT

Suns: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday night.

Spurs: Visit Portland on Sunday night.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

9 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

13 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

17 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Without Warren, Canaan, Suns can’t keep up with Spurs