NBA: Devin Booker returns, helps steer Suns past Kings

Jalen Green scored 20 points, and Devin Booker returned from a four-game absence to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 114-103 victory over the host Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Grayson Allen added 18 points off the bench, while Collin Gillespie hit five 3-pointers and recorded 17 points, nine assists, and five rebounds for Phoenix. Booker, back from a hip injury, contributed 17 points and six assists, including four 3-pointers.

Oso Ighodaro finished with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Suns completed a four-game season sweep of the Kings.

For Sacramento, Maxime Raynaud scored 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa added 18 points and nine rebounds, DeMar DeRozan scored 17 points, Russell Westbrook had 16 points and seven assists, and Malik Monk contributed 13 points off the bench. The loss marked the Kings’ 19th defeat in their last 21 games.

Phoenix shot 45.7% from the field and connected on 19 of 49 3-pointers (38.8%), holding a 53-40 advantage on the boards. Sacramento made 45.6% of its attempts, including 7 of 27 (25.9%) from beyond the arc.

Westbrook tied the game at 60 with a 3-pointer just 59 seconds into the second half and later gave Sacramento a 63-62 lead with a layup. Phoenix responded with a 14-0 run, fueled by Gillespie and Jalen O’Neal hitting two 3-pointers each, opening a 76-63 lead midway through the third quarter. Allen’s 3-pointer in the final minute of the quarter pushed the lead to 17, and the Suns took a 90-75 advantage into the fourth.

Ighodaro’s dunk made it 99-79 with 9:19 left, but Sacramento cut the deficit later in the period. DeRozan’s three-point play and four straight points from Nique Clifford brought the Kings within 108-96 with 4:30 remaining. Booker hit a 3-pointer to restore a 16-point lead with 3:12 left. Sacramento scored the next seven points, the final four by Raynaud, to make it 112-103 with 1:23 remaining. Booker then set up Mark Williams for a powerful dunk with 30.8 seconds left to seal the win.

Booker scored 14 points in the first half to help Phoenix take a 59-55 lead at halftime. Achiuwa led Sacramento with 16 first-half points.

– Field Level Media/Reuters