Kevin Durant scores 35 points, Suns roll past Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Kevin Durant scored 35 points and thePhoenix Suns held off the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-118 on Sundaynight for their fifth straight victory.

Durant – once a hero in Oklahoma City after leading the Thunderto the 2012 NBA Finals, but roundly booed nearly every time hetouched the ball Sunday – scored 13 points in the fourth quarter,helping Phoenix hold the lead after Oklahoma City cut a 15-pointdeficit to three. The Suns are 6-0 with Durant in the lineup.

Devin Booker added 22 points and 10 assists for Phoenix, whichshot 56.8% from the field to match its season high. Deandre Aytonhad 19 points and 11 rebounds and Chris Paul had 16 points andeight assists. Phoenix remained fourth in the Western Conferencestandings.

Oklahoma City, which is battling for a spot in the NBA’s play-intournament, lost for the third time in its last four games despite39 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder remained in thefinal play-in spot – 10th – a game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks,who lost to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime.

The Thunder led Phoenix seven points in the first quarter andwere tied 27-27 entering the second quarter, but Oklahoma Citysurrendered a 42-point second quarter, matching the highest totalby any opponent this season.

A 3-pointer by Isaiah Joe with 5:19 left pulled Oklahoma City to109-106, but Durant hit a 3-pointer and Ayton followed with aput-back to make it 114-106 with 4:33 left. The Thunder came nocloser than five points after that.

HONOR AND GRATITUDE

Phoenix coach Monty Williams was an assistant for the Thunder onFeb. 10, 2016, when his wife, Ingrid, died in a traffic accident inOklahoma City.

After his pregame news conference Sunday, Williams took time tothank members of the Thunder organization – including generalmanager Sam Presti and Ayana Lawson, the team’s vice president ofcommunity and lifestyle services – for their continued support.

“We lost my wife here, and this city, and in particular, thisorganization, wrapped their arms around me and my family and theycontinue to do so, led by Sam Presti, the ownership here and AyanaLawson,” Williams said. “Today would have been my wife’s birthdayand they chose to honor my wife today by not allowing anybody tosit in her seats.

“When I found out this morning, it really messed me up becauseit really speaks to how blessed I am to do what I do and work forthe people I work for and other people that I know and how muchthey care. … For them to do that today really speaks to thisorganization and this city.”

TIP-INS

Suns: Phoenix’s Damion Lee is one of 11 finalists for the NBA’sTwyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, which recognizes theplayer deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- andoff-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBAplayers, and commitment and dedication to team.

Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the league’s top free-throwshooters at 90.6% entering the game, finished 17 of 17. … JoshGiddey scored 16 points.

UP NEXT

Suns: Host San Antonio on Tuesday night.

Thunder: At Golden State on Tuesday night.