National Basketball Association
Washington 106, Phoenix 99
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, April 1, 2016
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Officials: #19 James Capers, #42 Eric Lewis, #31 Scott Wall
Attendance: 17345

PHOENIX -- Washington forward Markieff Morris played as he seldom did while with Phoenix earlier this season, and in so doing kept the Washington Wizards' slim playoff chances alive.

Morris had 21 points and nine rebounds while being booed virtually every time he touched the ball in the Wizards' 106-99 victory over the Suns at the Talking Stick Resort Arena on Friday.

"It is what it is, man," said Morris, who was traded to Washington on Feb. 19 after demanding to be traded over the summer when twin brother Marcus was dealt to Detroit.

"They booed my brother, so I figured they boo me, too. You saw how I played. I've been booed a hundred thousand times, way worse than that. It didn't affect me. Honestly, I was just trying to win the game. It wasn't really about my performance. Of course I wanted to play well, but it was all about the win."

Guard John Wall had 22 points and 10 assists and guard Bradley Beal scored 21 points for the Wizards (37-39), who are in 10th place, 2 1/2 games behind Indiana for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with six games to play. The teams do not meet again.

Reserve forward Mirza Teletovic had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns (20-56), and forward P.J. Tucker had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

"I told him that means they love you," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said he told Morris about the boos.

"When another team boos you, trust me, that means you were a (heck) of a player here. If you were a nobody, they wouldn't boo you. I think I could see an extra pep to his step at shoot-around this morning. He came right out and played a really consistent for four quarters for us."

Wizards center Marcin Gortat had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and reserve guard Ramon Sessions had nine points, including seven in a 13-2 run midway through the fourth quarter that turned an 86-83 deficit into 96-87 lead with 4:51 remaining.

The Suns had six of their 16 turnovers and missed both of their field goal attempts during the deciding run.

"Going down the stretch, we have to allow our young guys to develop," Suns coach Earl Watson said. "John Wall, he was a closer. He made tough shots. In order to grow, you must first have the opportunity to fail."

Center Tyson Chandler had 11 points and 15 rebounds as the bigger Suns, who also use a starting lineup that includes center Alex Len, had a 56-44 rebounding edge.

But the Suns shot only 38.7 percent from the field and had 16 turnovers. Washington shot 44.2 percent and made 10 of 26 3-pointers, three by Beal and two by Morris.

"Usually it is an advantage for me when I have a 7-foot guy on me," Morris said. "It is tough for him to guard me."

NOTES: Washington F Markieff Morris made his first appearance in Phoenix since the Suns traded him to the Wizards for F Kris Humphries, F DeJuan Blair and a first-round draft pick (protected through No. 9) on Feb. 19. Morris told reporters that early Friday that "it was just tough to do certain things with no trust and play for people that you really don't trust." He did not elaborate after the game. "I ain't getting into that," he said. "That's how I feel. As things stand now, Washington has 12th-worst record in the league, which means the Suns would get that pick. ... Suns G Brandon Knight, who missed 22 games with a sports hernia injury, was held out of the lineup with the same issue Friday. The Suns say conversations will be held about the possibility of holding him out the rest of the year. ... Wizards G John Wall, averaging 19.94 points and 10.2 assists, is attempting to become the first player in franchise history to average 20 /10 rebounds in a season. He would join Clippers G Chris Paul (2007-08, 2008-09) and G Russell Westbrook (2015-16) as the only players to do that since 1993-94. ... Suns F Mirza Teletovic had 159 3-pointers, the most among NBA reserves. F Chuck Person holds the league record for 3-pointers off the bench at 164 with San Antonio in 1994-95. ... Suns G Devin Booker is the seventh NBA player to reach 900 points while still a teenager. The others are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard and Tracy McGrady. Booker does not turn 20 until Nov. 30.
Top Game Performances
 
Washington   Phoenix
John Wall 22 Scoring Mirza Teletovic 24
John Wall 10 Assists Ronnie Price 8
Marcin Gortat 11 Rebounds Tyson Chandler 15
Bradley Beal 6 Free Throws Made Mirza Teletovic 6
John Wall 2 Steals John Jenkins 2
Markieff Morris 4 Blocks Devin Booker 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Washington 106 44.2 10-26 20-25 22 44 7 6 12
Phoenix 99 38.7 7-23 20-26 19 56 3 5 16
Upcoming Games
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against Utah. The Suns have a W/L % of .238 after a win and .273 after a loss.
  • Washington will play their next game on the road against L.A. Clippers. The Wizards have a W/L % of .472 after a win and .500 after a loss.