PHOENIX SUNS

Suns can’t complete comeback against Raptors as offense sputters

Nov 29, 2023, 8:16 PM | Updated: Nov 30, 2023, 9:12 am

YouTube video

TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, Pascal Siakam finished with 22 and the Toronto Raptors beat Phoenix 112-105 on Wednesday night to end the Suns’ winning streak at seven.

Kevin Durant scored 11 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter for Phoenix after missing two games because of a sore foot, while fellow star Devin Booker had only eight points. The Suns lost for the first time since a Nov. 12 loss at home against Oklahoma City.

Durant made 11 of 30 attempts and shot 2 for 8 from beyond the arc. He has scored 30 or more points in six straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA.

“I don’t feel like I’m ever out of rhythm,” Durant said. “I just missed shots.”

Booker hobbled to the bench early in the second half after stepping on Dennis Schroder’s foot, but was able to return.

“I don’t know if it got stiffer but I wasn’t going to spend the rest of the night trying to beat people off the dribble,” Booker said.

Booker, who beat New York on Sunday night with a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left, missed a 3 that would have tied it with 50 seconds remaining.

“I knew that one was left a bit,” Booker said.

Booker shot 2 for 12, going 0 for 4 on 3-pointers.

Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said he wasn’t sure whether Booker would be able to play when the Suns host the defending NBA-champion Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

“We’ll see how it responds overnight,” Vogel said. “You never know with ankles.”

Jusuf Nurkic had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns, who shot 7 for 26 from 3-point range, matching their fewest made 3-pointers this season.

“I just think the lid was on the basket tonight,” Durant said. “I feel like we got good looks, we just didn’t finish.”

Eric Gordon and Josh Okogie each scored 10 points but Phoenix lost despite outsourcing Toronto 28-14 on second-chance points.

Barnes made four field goals in the fourth quarter, one more than he’d made through the first three quarters combined.

“Scottie Barnes is a winner,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “When you coach him, you just feel that energy, you feel him on the bench the way he’s energizing the whole team.”

Schroder had a season-high 12 assists to help the Raptors win for the first time in three games. Precious Achiuwa had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Jakob Poeltl scored 17 points, and O.G. Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. each had 13.

The Raptors, who lost at Brooklyn on Tuesday night, were delayed flying home from New York and didn’t land in Toronto until 4 a.m., but showed no ill effects from their short night of rest.

“We have to understand that we have to start the game better than we started today,” Nurkic said. “They played last night. We should be starting the game better.”

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

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns lose OT crunch-time duel to Kings without Kevin Durant

It was a rather sudden bit of feedback on how much the Phoenix Suns would miss Kevin Durant (left calf strain), particularly in crunch time, in a 127-119 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.

15 hours ago

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis...

Damon Allred

Suns lose to Kings in overtime, snap perfect start to season at home

The Phoenix Suns couldn't pull ahead of the Sacramento Kings in overtime on Sunday, falling 127-118. It was Phoenix's first home loss this year.

16 hours ago

Suns C Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Suns center Jusuf Nurkic out vs. Kings after starting despite ankle injury

Jusuf Nurkic was ruled out of the second half of the Phoenix Suns' game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday with a left ankle injury.

17 hours ago

kevin durant, suns...

Kellan Olson

Kevin Durant’s calf strain halts Suns’ tremendous progress to begin season

Kevin Durant is sidelined by a left calf strain for two weeks and it'll test the Phoenix Suns in a few ways.

2 days ago

Kevin Durant...

Alex Weiner

Suns superstar Kevin Durant suffers left calf strain

Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant suffered a left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced on Saturday.

2 days ago

Jalen Bridges #15 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during media day at Footprint Center on ...

Bailey Leasure

Jalen Bridges shines as Valley Suns drop opening game to Santa Cruz Warriors

The Valley Suns, Phoenix's G League team, played its first game Friday night in a losing effort to the Santa Cruz Warriors.

2 days ago

Suns can’t complete comeback against Raptors as offense sputters