NBA: Pat Spencer's big effort propels Warriors past Suns

Pat Spencer scored a career-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers, as the Golden State Warriors came from behind to defeat the Phoenix Suns 101-97 on Thursday. The Warriors scored the final 10 points of the game to secure the victory.

Gui Santos added 18 points, including a breakaway layup with 28.7 seconds remaining that put Golden State ahead 99-97. After Dillon Brooks of the Suns missed a 3-point attempt, the Warriors recovered a loose ball and De'Anthony Melton converted a layup at the buzzer to seal the win.

Brooks led Phoenix with 24 points, while Grayson Allen contributed 21 points and five 3-pointers. The Suns had won four of their previous five games before Thursday’s loss.

Melton, starting for the first time this season as the Warriors played their second straight game without Stephen Curry (knee), scored 17 points. Gary Payton II added 15, and Al Horford finished with 13 points, including seven in the fourth quarter, helping Golden State snap a two-game losing streak.

The Suns appeared in control early in the fourth quarter, leading 90-76 after scoring the first eight points. But the Warriors steadily chipped away, closing to 97-95 on Horford’s short jumper with 2:18 remaining. Melton’s layup tied the game at 97-97 with 55.8 seconds left, and Moses Moody’s block on Collin Gillespie’s drive set up Santos’ decisive layup for the lead.

Spencer was highly efficient, making six of 10 from 3-point range. Golden State shot 36.4% (20 of 55) from beyond the arc, two attempts shy of their season high, while sinking 15 of 37 (40.5%) in the first half alone. The Warriors attempted just 21 2-point shots. Phoenix finished 37.2% (16 of 43) from long distance, with Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie hitting three apiece.

Starting his fifth game of the season, Spencer made five of his six 3-pointers in the first half, helping Golden State build a 59-55 lead. Santos added three threes, while Melton, Moody, and Payton contributed two each.

Spencer’s two free throws extended the Warriors’ lead to 66-56 early in the second half, but the Suns rallied with an 18-7 run capped by 3-pointers from Allen, Brooks, Ryan Dunn, and Gillespie to take an 82-76 advantage.

The Warriors used their 24th different starting lineup of the season.

Phoenix was without Devin Booker (ankle), who missed his seventh straight game, and Jalen Green (hip, hamstring), out for his third consecutive game. New acquisitions from the trade deadline—Kristaps Porzingis for the Warriors and Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey for the Suns—did not play.

—Field Level Media/Reuters