DEVIN Booker scored 44 points on 17-of-23 shooting to help the Phoenix Suns roll to a 132-101 victory over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
Kevin Durant was scheduled to make his home debut for Phoenix but slipped and injured his left ankle in pregame warmups. Booker made up for Durant’s absence, sinking six 3-pointers while scoring 35 or more points for the fourth consecutive game.
Terrence Ross came off the bench to score 24 points and hit a season-high six 3-pointers to help the Suns win for the 16th time in 21 games. Chris Paul recorded 18 points, nine assists and four steals, and Deandre Ayton had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Lindy Waters III had 23 points and six 3-pointers for the Thunder, who had a three-game winning streak end. The Thunder played without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (injury management) and impressive rookie Jalen Williams (wrist).
In other games, it was the Pelicans 113, Mavs 106; Hawks 122, Wizards 120;
Clippers 108, Raptors 100; Celtics 115, Blazers 93; Bulls 117, Nuggets 96; and Cavs 104, Heat 100.
Pelicans 113, Mavs 106
CJ McCollum scored 13 of his game-high 32 points in the final four minutes as host New Orleans held off Dallas.
McCollum finished 6 of 8 on 3-pointers and made three straight during his late-game blitz to stem the Mavericks’ rally from a 19-point deficit. Trey Murphy III added 16 points, Herbert Jones Jr. and Jaxson Hayes scored 14 each, and Brandon Ingram had 12 before leaving the game for good late in the second quarter because of a right ankle sprain.
Kyrie Irving scored 27, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 17 and Luka Doncic had 15 before leaving the game for good late in the third quarter because of a left thigh strain. Doncic called the injury “not good” after the game.
Hawks 122, Wizards 120
Trae Young scored 28 points and De’Andre Hunter scored five of his 15 points in the final 67 seconds to help visiting Atlanta erase a 15-point second-half deficit and beat Washington.
Hunter’s three-point play with 1:07 left put Atlanta ahead to stay and his two free throws with 18.3 seconds remaining gave the Hawks the advantage they needed to break their two-game losing streak.
The Wizards were led by Kristaps Porzingis, who scored a season-high 43 points on 17-of-22 shooting and seven 3-pointers, with five rebounds and five assists. Washington has dropped three of its last four games. Washington also got 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists from Kyle Kuzma and received 24 points and eight assists from Bradley Beal.
