UPDATE: The Phoenix Suns have held off a late charge from the Sacramento Kings, securing a 112-100 victory on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. This win keeps the Suns undefeated in the NBA Cup West Group A, improving their record to 3-0 in group play.
With this victory, the Suns are now set for a showdown against the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City. Both teams are currently tied at 3-0 in group play, making this matchup critical for determining the top seed in West Group A.
The stakes are high: If the Suns triumph over the Thunder, they will clinch the group and host an NBA Cup quarterfinal game in Phoenix. However, a loss could still see them secure a wild card spot, depending on the outcome of the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the L.A. Clippers. The Suns currently have a point differential of +35, compared to the Grizzlies’ +14 and the Clippers’ -9.
In the game against the Kings, the Suns surged ahead to a lead as large as 25 points in the first half. Despite the Kings pulling within eight in both the third and fourth quarters, Phoenix responded decisively with an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 102-86 with just under six minutes remaining.
Mark Williams and Collin Gillespie led the Suns offensively, each scoring 21 points. Devin Booker added 19, while Dillon Brooks contributed 13 and Jamaree Bouyea came off the bench to score 11.
The Kings were paced by Keegan Murray and Russell Westbrook, each scoring 19 points. Both teams faced injury challenges, with the Suns missing Grayson Allen, Jalen Green, and Ryan Dunn, while the Kings were without Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schroder.
This latest win marks the Suns’ second victory over the Kings this season, having previously rallied from a 20-point deficit to win 120-116 in their season opener last month. With momentum on their side, the Suns are poised for the upcoming clash against Oklahoma City, a match that fans will not want to miss.
Stay tuned as the NBA Cup action heats up, with the Suns looking to solidify their standing in a high-stakes matchup on Friday night.
