Tag: Phoenix

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NBA (Basketball)

Which NBA teams have yet to win a championship?

Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe during the first half of an NBA basketball game

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are always competing for the most NBA championships in history. In 2024, the Celtics won their 18th NBA title, surpassing the Lakers and breaking a tie between the two teams. While these two teams continue to fight for the top spot, there are still several teams – 10 in total – trying to win their first championship.

In 2023, the Denver Nuggets became the newest team to win an NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat in the Finals and claiming their first title. Here’s a look at the 10 NBA teams that are still searching for their first championship, along with their number of Finals appearances.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets won two ABA championships with Julius Erving leading the team, but they have not won an NBA title since Erving was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers when the ABA-NBA merger happened in 1976. The team, then known as the New Jersey Nets, came close with back-to-back Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. The Nets faced Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers one year, and Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs the other year.

Charlotte Hornets

In 1998, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls eliminated the Hornets in the Eastern Conference semifinals while on their way to winning their sixth NBA title in eight seasons. Although Jordan was one of the best winners in NBA history as a player, he didn’t have the same success as the owner of the Hornets.

Jordan sold his majority stake in the team in 2023, but his poor draft choices before that, including top-10 picks like Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, and Cody Zeller, prevented the Hornets from making deep playoff runs.

Charlotte Hornets (NBA)

Indiana Pacers

Like the Nets, the Pacers were one of the best teams in the ABA, winning three championships before the 1976 merger. Like the Nets, the Pacers also faced Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers in the Finals. Reggie Miller seemed ready to finally win an NBA title in 2000, but Shaq, Kobe Bryant, and the Lakers stopped Miller’s Indiana team in six games, winning their first of three straight championships. The Pacers haven’t returned to the Finals since.

LA Clippers

The Clippers have faced bad luck since moving from Buffalo, San Diego, and eventually Los Angeles. Now based in Inglewood, California, the Clippers are still searching for their first Finals appearance.

Although the team has had talented players, injuries to key players like Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard have prevented deep playoff runs. Along with questionable ownership and losing 3-1 leads in the 2015 and 2020 Western Conference semifinals, the Clippers have been one of the unluckiest teams in major North American sports.

Memphis Grizzlies

Even when the Grizzlies were based in Vancouver (1995-2001), they had trouble getting to the championship. The franchise did have one period when it came close. Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph played strong defense and helped the team make the playoffs for seven straight years, including a run to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. Unfortunately, Memphis was swept by the Spurs in that series.

Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are another team still waiting for their first championship and their first Finals appearance. Minnesota couldn’t make it to the Finals during Kevin Garnett’s time with the team. The Timberwolves, formed in 1989, made the playoffs for eight straight years with Garnett but only made it past the first round once.

To make matters worse, Garnett left Minnesota and went on to win a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. In 2024, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals, but Minnesota fell behind 3-0 in the series and lost in five games.

New Orleans Pelicans

A relatively new team, the Pelicans have been in New Orleans since 2002. They haven’t won any championships or made any Finals appearances. The team made it to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time with Chris Paul in 2008 when they were known as the New Orleans Hornets.

In 2012, New Orleans won the draft lottery and picked Anthony Davis as the No. 1 pick. However, the Pelicans didn’t make the most of the Davis years, and he eventually left to win a championship with the Lakers.

Orlando Magic

Orlando is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, but the Magic are not known for being home to an NBA champion. The Magic have had two of the best big men of their time in Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. Both led the team to the Finals—Shaq in 1995 and Howard in 2009. However, it took both players leaving the team to win championships. Shaq won three championships with the Lakers and one with Miami. Howard won one, also with the Lakers.

Phoenix Suns (NBA)

Phoenix Suns

The Suns have had several great teams with all-time great players who just couldn’t finish the job. NBA MVP Charles Barkley led Phoenix to the Finals in 1993, but they lost to Jordan and the Bulls in six games. Steve Nash won back-to-back MVPs with the Suns in 2005 and 2006 but couldn’t get Phoenix past the Western Conference finals. More recently, Devin Booker’s Suns lost a 2-0 series lead to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 Finals.

Utah Jazz

While there have been greater duos in NBA history than Karl Malone and John Stockton, they are certainly the greatest pair never to win a championship. These two Hall of Famers made the Jazz serious title contenders for over a dozen years, leading the team to its only two Finals appearances. Utah played in the NBA’s biggest stage in 1997 and again in 1998. Unfortunately for Malone and Stockton, both years were against Jordan’s Bulls. The Jazz lost both series in six games and haven’t been back to the Finals since.

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NBA (Basketball)

Kevin Durant looks forward to another visit to Chase Center in San Francisco, this time for the All-Star Game

Kevin Durant and Ja Morant shake hands after the match

Before heading to the bus after games, Kevin Durant always takes some extra time to say goodbye to familiar faces and old friends as he leaves San Francisco once more.

The Phoenix star loves returning to Chase Center, and playing in the All-Star Game this weekend in front of Bay Area fans who still remember and appreciate all he did for the Warriors means a lot to him.

“For sure, this is my home, I got murals up in the concourse, what’s that mean?” Durant said with a smile. “I’ve been saying this since I left here, this is always going to be a part of my DNA, this is in my blood. Finally somebody’s listening to me but it always felt like home. Since I left here it’s always been that.”

Durant wishes his Suns teammate Devin Booker could have been selected for the All-Star Game alongside him in his 15th career selection.

After reaching 30,000 career points Tuesday night, the 36-year-old Durant has many reasons to celebrate. He became the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points, joining LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain. Julius Erving also reached this mark when combining his points in the NBA and ABA.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer praised Durant for his shooting ability after his milestone. “He’s probably the most incredible shot maker I’ve ever been around,” Budenholzer said.

“Gone against him a lot of nights, too, so it’s nice to be on his side. The way he can rise up and shoot over people, his height, his ballhandling, he’s just, if not the most incredible shot maker, I’m not sure who is. It’s just great to be around him every day.”

Durant will surely put on a great show. He had some of the best moments of his career playing for these passionate fans. Durant holds a 3-2 record at Chase Center, averaging 22.4 points with a shooting percentage of 39.8%. His highest scoring game there was 31 points in a 109-105 loss on Dec. 28.

During his most recent visit, on Jan. 31, Durant engaged in a fun and friendly back-and-forth with former Seattle SuperSonics star Gary Payton. Payton sat courtside across from the Golden State bench while watching his son, Gary Payton II.

Kevin Durant drives past Vince William Jr. in the 1st half

They joked around, discussed their NBA eras, and debated scoring abilities. Payton reminded Durant, “I was a point guard, you’re a scorer.”

Durant responded, “Check my footage, man, I do it all.” The banter started last summer when Durant told Payton he was too small to guard the two-time Finals MVP.

“It’s always good when I run into an older player, especially from the 90s,” Durant said. “If you play in the 90s, they feel like that’s the golden years of the NBA. So I try to let them know, especially GP, what it would have been like if you were on the court with me because they tend to talk down on the mentality of our era of players. GP is a great sport about it, one of my favorite players, somebody I look up to and have major respect for.”

These are the types of lighthearted moments Durant looks forward to during tougher times, like the constant speculation around whether Phoenix would trade him before last week’s deadline.

Even without Payton’s presence, Durant will see many people in the stands still thankful for everything he helped the Warriors achieve.

He spent three seasons with the Warriors from 2016 to 2019, leading them to two championships alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Coach Steve Kerr, who coached Durant, Curry, and the U.S. team to an Olympic gold medal last summer, said, “Just his ability to get his shot off against any defense, any defender, nobody’s ever had that kind of skill at that size.

So, incredibly unique package and I think he loves to play basketball more than anything, he just loves the game. He works so hard at it. That’s what I enjoyed the most when we had him here, was watching him after practice just go through his routine, and it’s mesmerizing.”

So as Durant returns this time, you can expect him to enjoy the moment with everyone watching.

Although the reunions may be brief, they are still special and unforgettable—just like his playful exchange with Payton.

“Hell yeah it’s going to be a homecoming,” Durant said. “It’s like I’m coming back home. Three years here were a huge part of my life, so yeah, it’s a homecoming.”

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NBA (Basketball)

Suns Coach Responds to Locker Room Tension: Phoenix Suns’ coach comments on the reported “toxic” environment

Mike Budenholzer (NBA)

The 2025 trade deadline was difficult for the Phoenix Suns.

It seemed like every player on the team was linked to trade rumors. Some were mentioned in possible deals for Jimmy Butler, who was eventually traded from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors. Even star forward Kevin Durant was rumored to be on the move, but he stayed with Phoenix.

On Thursday, Ramona Shelburne reported that all the trade talk created a “toxicity” in the Suns’ locker room. Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer responded to this on Friday.

Phoenix Suns- Kevin Durant

“Making it through a season, and all the things that come with that, are never easy,” Budenholzer said. “It’s not like this has been a perfect or easy ride, but I think the guys’ commitment to each other and the guys’ willingness to learn and grow is good—and that’s what I see.” The Suns are currently 26–25, sitting ninth in the Western Conference and just half a game behind the eighth-place Dallas Mavericks.

Although Phoenix is using the same lineup, it seems the team has some work to do to stabilize before the playoffs.

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NFL (American Football)

Eagles and Chiefs offer Super Bowl advice to their younger selves in Phoenix

Patrick Mahomes arrives in New Orleans

With the Kansas City Chiefs preparing for their third Super Bowl in as many seasons and the Philadelphia Eagles returning for their second in three years, Sunday will feature many players with significant experience in big games.

Players from both teams shared what advice they would give themselves before their first Super Bowl appearance, focusing on things like relaxing, staying hydrated, and having fun—without overdoing it.

CHIEFS

PATRICK MAHOMES, quarterback: “We won that first one but I felt I came out too anxious, a little too pumped up, so more than anything just play the game that you love the way you’ve always played it and that will be enough.”

JAYLEN WATSON, cornerback: “Just chill, don’t get too high too early, it’s a long week, don’t wear yourself out, it’s an exciting week.”

NICK BOLTON, linebacker: “The ebbs and flows, the highs and lows of the game, I would’ve let myself know that. It’s such an emotional game, the game goes up and down.”

JUSTIN REID, safety: “Just, throughout the week, try and enjoy the experience a little bit more. I’ve had some fun but you want to make sure with your first Super Bowl that you play well. Secondly, it’s just being prepared for how long the game is. That was different, the extended warmup, instead of a three-hour game it’s a five-hour game, it’s a 30-minute halftime so just having a great plan for that.”

GEORGE KARLAFTIS, defensive end: “It’s just a game. It’s the same game you’ve been playing 19 times that season. Same game, same time, all that stuff.”

HARRISON BUTKER, kicker: “There were a lot of nerves and anxious feelings the entire two weeks and especially the week leading up to the Super Bowl. I remember getting to the game and just feeling exhausted from all of the pressure that felt like it was on my shoulders.”

CREED HUMPHREY, center: “Just enjoy the moment, it’s hard to get to this game, just enjoy everything you can, don’t take it for granted. Enjoy the moment but focus on the mission.”

LEO CHENAL, linebacker: “We’ve had this group of guys that I’ve been around since my first season and we’ve had the experience of getting to places like this and going far in the playoffs. I would tell myself to not get wrapped up in off the football field. You have to appreciate the spectacle of where we are but don’t get wrapped up in it.”

Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate after a touchdown

EAGLES

AJ BROWN, wide receiver: “Focus on the game.”

DARIUS SLAY, cornerback: “I would tell myself to not warm up as much, as fast. I was energized and ready to go and not knowing I had to go back in the locker room and sit there for another 45 minutes. I had to re-warm up, so I have to pace myself, a lot more stretching because of the halftime show which feels like an hour long. I don’t want to get tight, so I have to make sure I’m loose and ready to go.”

DEVONTA SMITH, wide receiver: “Just go out there and be you.”

REED BLANKENSHIP, safety: “Have fun, embrace it, don’t get caught up in the lights. It’s another game, we get to play football. It’s the biggest stage in football and the world and it’s an honor to play in it.”

DALLAS GOEDERT, tight end: “Dreams are coming true. Do everything you can to help the team win because winning is the most important thing.”

LANDON DICKERSON, center: “Don’t ride the waves. There’s gonna be a lot of good times and a lot of bad times. Stay level-headed and keep playing.”

LANE JOHNSON, offensive tackle: “Probably hydrate a little more. I was pretty tired out there.”

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NFL (American Football)

The Suns’ Big 3 remains intact post-trade deadline, with their pursuit of success ongoing in Phoenix

Kevin Durant gestures in the 2nd half

Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal are still part of the Phoenix Suns after a busy trade deadline. Now, they have about 30 games left to improve a season that has been disappointing so far.

However, there aren’t many signs to suggest that things will turn around.

The Suns were relatively quiet during the trade deadline, despite rumors that Beal and Durant might be traded. Phoenix general manager James Jones didn’t share much about how seriously he considered trading either player when asked before a game against the Utah Jazz.

“It always gets noisy when you’re not winning,” Jones said. “And we’re not winning.”

The Suns are 26-25 after breaking a three-game losing streak with a 135-127 overtime win over the Jazz on Friday night. Durant (ankle) and Beal (toe) were both out due to injuries.

Injuries have been a constant problem for the All-Star trio over the past 18 months, preventing them from playing together for long stretches. Durant’s absence has been especially tough for the team. The Suns are 24-15 when he plays and 1-10 when he doesn’t.

Even when all three players have been healthy, success has been inconsistent. After being swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, the Suns made changes by retooling their roster around the Big 3. They fired coach Frank Vogel and hired Mike Budenholzer, but the team still hasn’t found success.

Phoenix is running out of time to figure things out with this group. Jones insists the team isn’t giving up.

Devin Booker shoots to score the ball

“I think the injuries are a part of it,” Jones said. “I also think we just haven’t performed well enough. … But we do see glimpses of success, and for right now, these last 32 games of the year give us an opportunity to maximize what we do.”

Beal had been part of trade rumors for months because of the $110 million he’s owed over the next two years. The three-time All-Star also has a no-trade clause, but Jones said he never asked Beal to waive it.

The 31-year-old is averaging 17.4 points per game and was moved to the bench earlier this season.

The speculation surrounding Durant came as more of a surprise, especially in the days leading up to the deadline. Even at 36 years old, Durant is still one of the league’s best scorers, averaging nearly 27 points per game. He will play in his 15th All-Star game later this month and is under contract for next season.

It’s unclear how the trade rumors impacted Durant, but Jones called him a “pro.”

“He’s always shown and will continue to show, and I think this team will continue to show, that despite the things outside of our walls, we will focus on the task at hand and that’s ball,” Jones said.

Jones, who won three NBA titles during his 14-year career, believes that the team still has potential to make a deep playoff run. The Suns did trade center Jusuf Nurkic to the Hornets on Thursday, adding Cody Martin and Vasa Micic for more depth on the perimeter.

Jones’ optimism may seem hard to believe, but right now, there’s not much else to do.

“We understand that there’s a lot of work to do,” Jones said. “But it’ll be fun. It’ll be a challenge and we’re up to it.”

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NBA (Basketball)

Kevin Durant aims for 30,000 career points as the Phoenix Suns face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Phoenix

Kevin Durant takes the shot in the 1st half

Kevin Durant achieved a lot during his time with Oklahoma City.

On Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns star has a chance to hit another big milestone in the same arena where he played for eight seasons, if he plays in the game.

Durant needs 26 points in the Suns’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder to become the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points.

The only players ahead of Durant on the all-time scoring list are LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain.

Durant scored the first 17,566 regular-season points of his career with the Thunder. His rookie year was in Seattle, but the team moved to Oklahoma City for his next eight seasons.

On Tuesday, the Suns listed Durant (left ankle sprain) as doubtful for the game, which was a surprise. Phoenix might be looking to trade the 15-time All-Star before Thursday’s trade deadline.

The Suns enter the game having lost two straight games in Portland and three of their last four games.

Their most recent loss was 121-119 in overtime to the Trail Blazers on Monday.

In that game, Devin Booker became the Suns’ career scoring leader, surpassing Hall of Famer Walter Davis. Booker now has 15,678 points for Phoenix.

Booker said he doesn’t take for granted playing his whole career so far with one team.

“It’s rare in this league for people to do what the Tim Duncans and Dirk Nowitzkis and Kobe Bryants did, staying with one team,” Booker said. “I came in at 18, not knowing what to expect.”

There was a time when it seemed like Durant might do the same, leading the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals. But in 2016, Durant signed with Golden State and helped the Warriors win titles in his first two years there.

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant

After leaving Oklahoma City, Durant faced a lot of anger when he returned, though the tension has lessened over time.

Things have gotten easier for Durant because the Thunder have been successful in recent years, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerging as a star.

Gilgeous-Alexander is having an impressive season, leading the NBA with 32.5 points per game. Among the top 10 scorers in the league — including Durant and Booker — Gilgeous-Alexander plays the fewest minutes, averaging 34.1 minutes per game.

The Thunder have been outscoring opponents by 12.7 points per game. In their last two wins, they won by an average of 31.5 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 63 points in those wins over Sacramento and Milwaukee, not playing in the fourth quarter of either game.

After being pulled midway through the third quarter against Milwaukee, Gilgeous-Alexander showed some frustration.

“I would like to play as much as I can,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I wake up, come to the game to compete. Coach (Mark Daigneault) decides how much I play, but I want to play as much as possible.”

Wednesday’s game is the second of three between the two teams this season. Oklahoma City won the first game, 99-83, on Nov. 15, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 28 points in just under 33 minutes.

Durant missed that game due to a calf injury. The Thunder have won 24 of their last 28 games.

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NBA (Basketball)

The Suns will face the red-hot Trail Blazers again in Phoenix

Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have been playing great basketball recently, and the Phoenix Suns got a close look at that on Saturday.

Now, the Suns will get another chance when they visit Portland for the second game of their two-game set on Monday night.

In the first matchup, Portland won 127-108, leading by as much as 27 points. This was their seventh win in the last eight games.

Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton, facing his former team, played a big role, scoring 24 points on 11-of-12 shooting.

“Played with energy, playing against his former team, you can tell he wanted to play hard,” Suns star Kevin Durant said. “It was a great game for him.”

Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick by Phoenix in 2018 and played five seasons with them before moving to Portland last season.

But Ayton said his strong performance wasn’t about facing his old team.

“I’m here to beat teams, man,” Ayton said. “I’m not really worried about who was in front of us. We’re playing for each other, playing defense and communicating. You can feel it. We are trying to change the tradition around here to a winning culture. We’re just scratching the surface right now.”

This was Ayton’s fourth consecutive game scoring 20 or more points. He’s averaging 22.3 points and 11 rebounds during this stretch.

He’s also made 21 of 24 shots in the last two games. Ayton was 10-of-12 in a win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday.

Portland coach Chauncey Billups was impressed with Ayton’s play.

“He dominated the game, he really did,” Billups said. “He’s obviously always emotional against this team so it was good to see him go dominate the game.”

Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns

Before Saturday’s game, the Trail Blazers had lost four straight against Phoenix.

The Suns’ loss was just their fourth in the last 13 games.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 37 points, marking his second straight game with 30 or more points. However, his scoring wasn’t enough to get them back in the game.

“They’ve been playing good basketball,” Booker said of Portland. “They came out and straight up beat us. They’re playing with a lot of confidence and they’re playing well right now.”

Durant added 22 points, extending his streak of 20 or more points to 24 of the last 25 games.

But the Suns struggled defensively, giving up 98 points in the first three quarters, which hurt their chances, especially after a big win over Golden State the night before.

“Basketball can be fleeting. This league is tough,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Credit to Portland for the way they’re playing. You have to look at what they did to make it happen. We weren’t our best.”

The game was so lopsided that players on both benches seemed more interested in the rumors coming from the fans than the action on the court in the final minutes. Fans were talking about a potential trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, sending Doncic to the Lakers and Davis to the Mavericks.

Durant was unsure about the reports at first, until a Suns security officer borrowed a fan’s phone to show him the news.

“Crazy, crazy, crazy league,” Durant said, shaking his head.

Billups said the Blazers heard about the trade rumors in a similar way, with assistant coaches overhearing it from fans in the stands.

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NBA (Basketball)

Deandre Ayton’s nearly flawless shooting helps Blazers defeat Suns in Phoenix

Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns

Deandre Ayton had an incredible performance, scoring 24 points on 11-of-12 shooting, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 127-108 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. This was the first of two games between the teams in three days.

Jerami Grant contributed 20 points for the Blazers, who built a lead as large as 27 points. This win marked their third consecutive victory and seventh in their last eight games.

Toumani Camara added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Anfernee Simons scored 16 points and dished out seven assists, while Shaedon Sharpe, coming off the bench, also added 16 points. Scoot Henderson provided 13 points and nine assists, and Deni Avdija chipped in with 10 points.

For the Suns, Devin Booker led the way with 37 points, marking his second straight game with 30 or more. Kevin Durant added 22 points, continuing his streak of 24 out of 25 games with 20 or more points.

The game saw the Blazers shooting 51.7 percent from the field and hitting 9 of 31 from three-point range. The Suns shot 45.2 percent and went 10 for 33 from beyond the arc. Bradley Beal came off the bench to score 13 points for Phoenix.

Phoenix Suns (NBA)

The Suns were trailing by 10 points late in the third quarter after Durant hit a three-pointer, but the Blazers quickly responded with an 8-0 run. Camara and Sharpe each nailed a three-pointer, and Camara added a fast-break dunk off a steal to extend the lead to 82-64 with 5:01 remaining in the quarter.

Ayton’s jumper extended the lead to 20 points, and Portland entered the fourth quarter with a 98-79 advantage.

Phoenix made a brief push, cutting the lead to 15 with 6:25 left in the game after a basket from Durant. But Ayton sealed the victory, scoring back-to-back baskets to give Portland a 114-94 lead, forcing the Suns to pull Booker and Durant from the game.

Simons led the charge in the first half with 14 points, helping the Blazers go into the break with a 61-46 lead. Durant had 13 points in the first half for Phoenix. Portland finished the half with a 10-0 run after leading by just five points.

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NBA (Basketball)

Devin Booker leads Suns to a dominant win over Warriors in Phoenix

Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors

Devin Booker helped lead six Phoenix players in double digits as the Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 130-105 on Thursday in San Francisco. Stephen Curry was held to 14 points, and the Suns dominated the game from start to finish.

Booker scored 31 points and had 11 assists, while Bradley Beal added 21 points off the bench, and Kevin Durant contributed 19 points. This win was the Suns’ ninth in their last 12 games.

For the Warriors, Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody led with 17 points each. Curry struggled, making only 1 of 6 from three-point range.

This victory marked the Suns’ second win over the Warriors this season, as they outscored Golden State in every quarter, increasing their lead. The win helped Phoenix move 1 1/2 games ahead of Golden State in the Western Conference play-in race.

Booker, who wasn’t selected for the All-Star Game this year after participating in four of the last five, scored over 30 points for the eighth time in his past 13 games. He finished 12 of 23 from the field.

Nick Richards posted a double-double for the Suns, with 14 points and 16 rebounds, a game-high. Booker and Durant each hit five 3-pointers, helping the Suns make 19 out of 39 attempts (48.7%).

Stephen Curry reacts in the game

Phoenix’s Grayson Allen contributed three 3-pointers, totaling 11 points along with six rebounds and seven assists. Mason Plumlee added 10 points, six rebounds, and four blocks. The Suns’ 25-point win was their second largest victory of the season.

Curry, the reigning NBA 3-point champion, made only one three-pointer, marking the fourth time this season he has made one or fewer. He has scored 14 or fewer points in nine games this season.

Wiggins also had a team-high six assists and shared the team lead in rebounds with Quinten Post, both grabbing eight rebounds. The Warriors had won their last two games before this loss.

Moody and Brandin Podziemski each made four 3-pointers for Golden State, which shot 16 of 44 (36.4%) from beyond the arc. Podziemski finished with 14 points, and Buddy Hield added 13 points.