SAN FRANCISCO – The short-handed Phoenix Suns faced the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in a contest that ended in a disappointing 109-105 loss before a sellout crowd at Chase Center. Outscored 27-18 in the fourth quarter, the Suns struggled to maintain their earlier lead and missed crucial scoring opportunities down the stretch.
Phoenix had a comfortable 100-91 advantage with 6:39 left in the game, following a three-pointer from Josh Okogie. Unfortunately, they failed to score again as they missed nine consecutive shots, yielding an 18-5 run by the Warriors, who managed to overcome the deficit.
Despite a standout performance from Kevin Durant, who scored a team-high 31 points along with four blocks, the Suns fell to 15-16 for the season. Durant’s eight turnovers, particularly three in the final six minutes, proved costly. Bradley Beal added 28 points to the Suns’ effort, although a block by Andrew Wiggins in the final minutes further hampered their offensive plays.
With 12.1 seconds on the clock and Phoenix trailing by three, Beal opted for a two-point attempt but missed, finalizing the score after Jonathan Kuminga’s lone free throw in a pivotal moment. The Warriors, who halted a three-game losing streak, received a game-high 34 points from Kuminga.
Injury Updates
The Suns continue to feel the impact of injuries, absent Devin Booker (left groin strain), Grayson Allen (concussion protocol), and Bol Bol (left knee contusion) during this matchup. Officials hope the two-day gap before facing Memphis on New Year’s Eve will allow for their return. Additionally, Jusuf Nurkic is serving a three-game suspension triggered by a recent altercation in a previous game.
Moreover, Royce O’Neale left the game after spraining his left ankle in a defensive play, and a walking boot was noted on his return from the arena.
Fourth Quarter Struggles
The absence of Booker continues to heavily impact the Suns’ offensive dynamics, now recording a 1-4 record without him. Over the past five games, the Suns have averaged a disheartening scoring rate in the fourth quarter, culminating in a mere 4-of-19 shooting versus the Warriors.
Essential improvements are necessary; Durant needs increased facilitation without feeling pressured to do everything alone. Coordination in shot selections, especially in critical moments, would provide a needed change in their late-game execution for an effective outcome.
Looking Forward
Despite this loss, the Suns are still within reach of playoff contention, sitting three games behind the fifth-place Los Angeles Lakers. The pathway towards recovery includes prioritizing not just health management, but also delivering a stronger performance against emerging rivals.
Are you concerned about the future performance of the Phoenix Suns? Share your thoughts with local analyst Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or follow him at @DuaneRankin.
