Mikal Bridges scored 22 points, Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds, and the visiting Phoenix Suns rode a big third quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 116-100 Sunday.
For the first two quarters and change, Sunday's second half of a weekend back-to-back series between the teams followed the trajectory of Saturday's game, which Sacramento won 106-103. The Kings held a narrow lead for most of the first half into the third quarter, but a 13-2 Suns run to close the period gave the visitors a fourth-quarter advantage they never relinquished.
Phoenix pushed the lead to as many as 23 down the stretch thanks to a balanced scoring attack. Cameron Johnson came off the bench to score 21 points, and Frank Kaminsky added 11 and Langston Galloway nine.
Ayton's 15 rebounds led all players. The third-year center also had four assists to complement Chris Paul's game-high 12. Paul finished two points shy of his second consecutive double-double.
Despite a slow start and a 1-of-6 shooting performance from behind the 3-point line, Devin Booker came on in the second half to finish with 20 points for the Suns, whose 116 points marked a season high. Sacramento's 100 were the fewest the Suns have allowed in three outings and the Kings' lowest output in three tries.
Sacramento, seeking its first 3-0 start since the 2002-03 season, shot 10-of-23 from 3-point range Sunday. But committing 15 turnovers to Phoenix's nine, and losing the battle for points in the paint 50-42, doomed the Kings.
Buddy Hield led Sacramento with 17 points, Tyrese Haliburton scored 15, and De'Aaron Fox finished with 12.
--Field Level Media
Phoenix | Sacramento | |
Mikal Bridges 22 | Scoring | Buddy Hield 17 |
Chris Paul 12 | Assists | Tyrese Haliburton 6 |
Deandre Ayton 15 | Rebounds | Richaun Holmes 11 |
Cameron Johnson 4 | Free Throws Made | De'Aaron Fox 4 |
Devin Booker 2 | Steals | Richaun Holmes 2 |
Devin Booker 1 | Blocks | Hassan Whiteside 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Phoenix | 116 | 48.9 | 14-35 | 10-11 | 34 | 44 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
Sacramento | 100 | 47.4 | 10-23 | 18-25 | 21 | 39 | 4 | 5 | 15 |