Shorthanded Suns lose Deandre Ayton, Cameron Payne to injury, drop 5th straight loss to last-place Rockets
But the Phoenix Suns team surrounding him is looking less and less familiar. Starting center Deandre Ayton and guard Cameron Payne both left Tuesday's 111-97 loss to the Houston Rockets with injuries. They joined All-NBA guard Devin Booker and sharpshooting forward Cameron Johnson on a growing list sidelined Suns. Payne took on a larger role in his place and was doing the same with Booker sidelined prior to his injury. After a 16-7 start, the Suns have now lost five straight, including Tuesday's loss to a now 9-18 Rockets team that's tied for last place in the West.
wftv.comSuns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105
Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
2022-23 Fantasy Basketball: Biggest risers and fallers heading into the last draft weekend
By Alex Barutha, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsThis weekend is the final stretch for fantasy basketball drafts. For the rising players, especially, many fantasy managers are looking to stake their claim. Fantasy managers shouldn't suddenly disregard his injury woes. Looking through all the drama, fantasy managers are realizing there's still an extremely productive player on the court. Mix in his 38.9 FG% and 50.0 FT%, and fantasy managers are backing away fast.
wftv.comRandle fined $50K for shoving Johnson in Knicks' wild loss
Knicks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) and New York Knicks forward Julius Randle are separated by the referee during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Phoenix. Randle was ejected after the play as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Knicks 115-114. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)NEW YORK — (AP) — New York Knicks forward Julius Randle was fined $50,000 by the NBA on Sunday for shoving Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson, making contact with a referee who was trying to break up the altercation and refusing to participate in its ensuing investigation. Randle and Johnson were both called for technical fouls after bumping chests and exchanging words in the third quarter of a wild 115-114 victory by the Suns over the Knicks on Friday night. A referee separated the two, but then Randle barreled through the ref to shove Johnson again, which earned the ejection.
wftv.comCam Johnson banks in 3, NBA-leading Suns stun Knicks 115-114
Knicks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) smiles after a three pointer against the New York Knicks during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Phoenix. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Knicks 115-114. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)PHOENIX — (AP) — Cam Johnson banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to finish with a career-high 38 points and give the Phoenix Suns a wild 115-114 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night. Suns: Johnson took a hard shoulder to the chest in the first quarter and briefly went back to the locker room. He came back for the second quarter and scored nine points before halftime.
wftv.comSuns top Bucks 131-107 in rematch of last year's NBA Finals
Bucks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson, left, shoots over Milwaukee Bucks guards Jrue Holiday (21) and Pat Connaughton during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX — (AP) — Deandre Ayton scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat Milwaukee 131-107 on Thursday night in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals won by the Bucks. Ayton led Phoenix with 15 points before the break while Holiday had 17 points for the Bucks. It was the first meeting between the teams since July 20, when the Bucks beat the Suns 105-98 in Milwaukee to win Game 6 and secure an NBA title. The Bucks won the final four games of the series.
wftv.comPaul, Booker help NBA-best Suns roll to 9th straight win
Timberwolves Suns Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince (12) drives as Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Phoenix. They moved to 30-0 when leading after three quarters, using the veteran savvy of Paul to take control in key moments. Beasley scored 18 points in the fourth quarter. Booker led all scorers with 20 points before the break, and Paul added 15 points and nine assists. Suns: Phoenix shot 10 of 19 (52.6%) from 3-point range in the first half.
wftv.comSuns win 13th straight, rolling past Spurs 115-111
Suns Spurs Basketball San Antonio Spurs' Keldon Johnson (3) drives against Phoenix Suns' Cam Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO — (AP) — Devin Booker had 23 points, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 14 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns won their 13th straight, rolling past the San Antonio Spurs 115-111 on Monday night. San Antonio point guard Dejounte Murray had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his seventh career triple-double. San Antonio outscored Phoenix 20-10 to open the fourth quarter, pulling with 100-95 with 6 minutes remaining. The Suns went on a 10-0 run following a timeout.
wftv.comGeorge scores 39 points, Clippers hold off Suns 112-107
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)PHOENIX – Paul George scored 39 points and the Los Angeles Clippers held on to beat the Phoenix Suns 112-107 on Sunday night after nearly blowing a 31-point lead in a matchup of two of the Western Conference’s top early season teams. At 5-2, the Clippers are tied with the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers for the West lead. George was 7 of 10 from 3-point range and Los Angeles was 17 of 29 overall. Chris Paul, who played six seasons for the Clippers, had 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Los Angeles opened the second quarter with 15 straight points to make it 50-24.
Booker, Bridges lead new-look Suns past Mavericks 106-102
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives on Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Phoenix. At least for the first game, the Suns' revamped backcourt performed almost exactly as hoped. Booker scored 22 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and Phoenix edged the Dallas Mavericks 106-102 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams. “I like guys who are willing to take the shots,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. Luka Doncic cut the Suns' lead to three with a dunk but after a Booker miss, Bridges grabbed the offensive rebound and Phoenix closed out the victory.
Suns top Mavs to keep playoff hopes alive, go 8-0 in bubble
Dario Saric scored 16 points and Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson each added 15 for the Suns. Dallas was already locked into a playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, so the starters played limited minutes. Luka Doncic, who had averaged 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11.3 assists in the bubble, finished with 18 points in just over 13 minutes. Booker scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting before the break. Suns: Either season over or will be in a play-in game against Memphis on Saturday.
Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117
Booker became the Suns' career leader with his 91st 30-point game, breaking a tie with Walter Davis. Phoenix pulled away late after leading only 105-102 following back-to-back baskets by Alec Burks, who led the 76ers with 23 points. The Suns continued their high-scoring play in the bubble after averaging 120 points in the first six games. The 76ers also were without Joel Embiid (left ankle), Tobias Harris (sore right ankle) and Al Horford (sore left knee). 76ers: Play the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Booker's 35 points lead surprising Suns past Heat 119-112
Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro each had 25 points to lead the Heat. Three free throws by Robinson cut the Suns' lead to 115-112 before Miami's Bam Adebayo was called for goaltending on a shot by Booker. The review with 11.2 seconds remaining confirmed the call and extended the lead to five points. Led by its backcourt scoring from Herro and Robinson, Miami quickly led by double figures at 19-8. The Suns led 88-86 entering the final period.
Booker's shot at buzzer leads Suns over Clippers 117-115
The Suns improved to 3-0 in the bubble as they chase a playoff spot. Ricky Rubio missed a shot after that and Ivica Zubac got the rebound, but he threw a bad pass that Mikal Bridges stole to give the Suns another chance. He turned the other direction and shot as George was closing, then crashed to the court as his teammates surrounded him to celebrate the victory. After setting a franchise record by making 25 3-pointers in a win over New Orleans on Saturday, the Clippers managed just eight in the loss. Leonard led the Clippers with 27 points and George added 23.