Suns Can't Overcome Injuries, Ejections in Loss vs Rockets
PHOENIX The Phoenix Suns (35-25) fell to the Houston Rockets (26-34) by a score of 118-109 Saturday night at Footprint Center.
This game marked the return of Bradley Beal to the lineup following two-plus weeks out.
Phoenix started out slow - sleepwalking to a 29-15 deficit with 3:49 remaining in the first frame. The Suns eventually trailed at the end of one by a score of 38-19.
Phoenix regained some momentum in the early parts of the second quarter, cutting the Rocket lead to eight with under five minutes to go in the half.
The Rockets spurned multiple Suns' opportunities to get within one position following a sequence of questionable officiating.
Houston eventually took a 54-44 lead going into the locker room.
Phoenix and Houston got into another dust-up at the 7:08 mark of the third quarter, resulting in Bradley Beal's ejection and a technical foul on Jalen Green.
Royce O'Neale cut the double-digit Rockets lead to four with 4:25 remaining in the third - prior to being called for a technical foul.
Houston's lead ultimately was constant, taking an 89-79 lead into the final 12 minutes of action.
The Suns got within striking distance on multiple occasions in the final frame - but Houston withheld every run that was made.
Devin Booker left the game with 1:15 left after rolling his ankle. Jusuf Nurkic also left early due to injury and Bradley Beal was ejected for getting into a scuffle with Jalen Green in the second half.
Key Performances
Devin Booker - 24 PTS, 5 AST
Kevin Durant - 30 PTS, 9 REB, 3 BLK
Royce O'Neale - 20 PTS, 11 REB
Jalen Green - 34 PTS, 9 REB
Alperen Sengun - 21 PTS, 0 REB
What's Next
The Suns host the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow night at Footprint Center.
