Devin Booker scored 25 points as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Toronto Raptors 120-98 on Sunday night, effectively ending a five-game losing streak.
Jalen Green contributed 20 points to the victory, marking the Suns’ 40th win of the season.
This win represents a four-game improvement for Phoenix compared to last season, with 10 games remaining in the regular season. The Suns maintained control throughout the game, never trailing and building an 18-point lead by halftime.
Game Highlights
The Suns established a strong lead early, outscoring the Raptors 34-20 in the first quarter. They shot 8 of 12 from three-point range, leading to a halftime score of 66-48. Booker led the team with 12 points before the break, while Toronto’s Scottie Barnes scored 13.
In the third quarter, Phoenix extended its lead to 92-62, highlighted by Booker’s successful three-point play following a foul during a driving layup. Booker finished the game shooting 9 of 15 from the field, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. Collin Gillespie added 16 points, while the Suns’ bench made a significant impact with Ryan Dunn contributing 12 points and rookie Rasheer Fleming adding 11.
Raptors’ Performance
The Raptors faced their second consecutive loss, dropping to 39-31 in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite the defeat, they remain in playoff contention, currently holding the fifth seed, just half a game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 17 points, supported by RJ Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter, who both scored 13 points. The Raptors will look to bounce back in their next game against Utah on Monday.
Injury Updates
The Suns managed to secure the win despite missing several key players from their rotation, including Royce O’Neale (knee), Grayson Allen (knee), Dillon Brooks (hand), and Mark Williams (foot). Their resilience demonstrated the depth of the team as they prepared for their upcoming match against Denver on Tuesday.