Suns React to 'Gutsy' Win vs Kings

The Phoenix Suns stepped up defensively to get a gutsy win over the Sacramento Kings.

PHOENIX -- It wasn't pretty, but the job was done.

The Phoenix Suns needed a win over the Sacramento Kings to stay alive in the hunt for a top-six spot in the Western Conference postseason race.

You often hear coaches use some sort of "it doesn't matter if we win by one or one hundred" phrasing - a win is a win.

The Suns proved that to be true in their 108-107 win over the Kings on Friday night, a game where they trailed by as much as 16 before ultimately pulling through with one last defensive stop to seal the victory as time expired.

“Gutsy win. Things weren’t going right for us offensively. We were shooting the ball well but still careless with the basketball, way too many turnovers. We have to improve our passing if we’re going to go on a deep playoff run. But our defense held us. It held us in this game, we kept getting stops," said Suns coach Frank Vogel after the win.

"In particular, Bradley Beal was the star of the game defensively. Nurk throughout the game battling Sabonis and taking big shoulder contact. I keep saying he’s the best big shoulder defender in the league and he showed it tonight battling Sabonis. But Brad made several plays in the second half where he contested, block, a steal at the top of the floor with a minute left. And then obviously with the game on the line he gets that strip. So he’s the star of the game defensively.

"You know the group played well, they battled and showed resiliency. This group is new to each other. This is our first year together. All these type of successes, being in that environment this was like a playoff game on the road. Two teams that desperately wanted to get this game and for us to get that success is a big step for us.”

Phoenix can evade the play-in tournament with a win on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves coupled with a New Orleans Pelicans loss.

“That’s the name of the game. That’s the name of playoff basketball. On the road in a tough environment and just finding any way to win. Trying to have a quick memory and not live in the past of a previous game or a previous play, just a next play mindset," said Devin Booker.