NBA: Devin Booker scores 27 as Suns hold off 76ers

Devin Booker scored 27 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 116-110 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.

The Suns got a boost from their bench as Jalen Green returned to action for the first time since early November. Green, who was recovering from a hamstring injury, played 20 minutes and scored 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Phoenix’s reserves played a major role in the win, with four players scoring in double figures. Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen each contributed 16 points.

Collin Gillespie was the only Phoenix starter besides Booker to reach double figures, adding 12 points. The Suns improved to 3-2 on their six-game road trip.

For Philadelphia, VJ Edgecombe led the team with 25 points while Kelly Oubre Jr. added 21. The Sixers played without Joel Embiid (ankle) and Paul George (knee). Tyrese Maxey struggled from the field, finishing with 20 points on 7-of-25 shooting. Philadelphia has now lost four of its last six games.

After holding a four-point lead at halftime, the Suns exploded for 40 points in the third quarter. Phoenix hit eight 3-pointers during the period, including two each from Booker and Allen.

The Sixers held a 68-61 lead early in the third quarter, but the Suns went on a 22-6 run to take control. The surge included back-to-back 3-pointers by Royce O’Neale and Booker, followed by another by Gillespie that put Phoenix ahead for good.

Even when Philadelphia cut the deficit to 85-82 late in the third quarter, Phoenix responded quickly and extended the lead to 97-84 by the end of the period.

Phoenix maintained a strong lead of 109-92 with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, 3-pointers by Maxey and Quentin Grimes brought the Sixers back into the game, forcing a Suns timeout. Philadelphia later cut the lead to 112-105, but Booker’s tough fadeaway shot stopped the momentum and helped Phoenix secure the win.

Philadelphia started strong, with Oubre scoring 11 points and Edgecombe adding 10, helping the Sixers lead 30-27 after the first quarter. The second quarter remained tight, with neither team leading by more than five points. Dillon Brooks’ jumper gave the Suns a 57-53 advantage heading into halftime.

—Field Level Media/Reuters