Booker, Ross help Suns rout Thunder after Durant injured
PHOENIX(AP) — Devin Booker scored 44 points, Terrence Ross added 24 andthe Phoenix Suns beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-101 onWednesday night after losing Kevin Durant to an ankle injury duringpregame warmups.
Phoenix haswon four straight games, but that was almost an afterthoughtfollowing Durant’s injury.
The gamewas supposed to be the home debut with his new team. A 13-timeAll-Star, Durant was added in a blockbuster trade deadline dealwith Brooklyn and the Footprint Center was buzzing inanticipation.
Butherolled his left ankle while driving to the basketashe prepared to play. The 6-foot-10 forward immediately hopped upand was walking, but several minutes later, the Suns confirmed thathe would miss the game.
Kevin Durant has been ruled out fortonight's Suns-Thunder game after he slipped during pregamewarm-ups. Tonight would've been Durant's first home game as amember of the Suns. Here's the video: pic.twitter.com/ecYwlq0uQe
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) March 9, 2023With Durantout, Suns fans had to settle for a scoring show by Booker, who had30 points during the first half.
Thethree-time All-Star shot 17 of 23 — making 6 of 10 3-pointers —from the field and received a standing ovation in the fourthquarter when he checked out of the game for the last time.
Ross alsowas 6 of 10 from 3-point range. Chris Paul has 18 points and nineassists. He made 4 of 5 3-pointers.
OklahomaCity played without All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becauseof “abdominal strain injury management.” The Thunder wereovermatched without him and the Suns pulled away in the secondhalf.
LindyWaters III led the Thunder with 23 points.
Durant hasplayed three games with the Suns — all on the road and all wins —but this was supposed to be his first game at home in front of asold out crowd. He averaged 26.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in thethree games.
His nextchance to play at home will be Saturday against the Kings.
Phoenixadded Durant and T.J. Warren at the trade deadline, sending MikalBridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and otherdraft compensation to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Sunspushed to a 34-21 lead after one quarter and had a 60-52 advantageat halftime. Booker shot 11 of 15 from the field in the first halfwhile Waters had scored 21 for the Thunder.
TIP-INS
Thunder:Gilgeous-Alexander was one of five players out with injuries. ...Josh Giddey shot just 3 of 12 from the field and finished with 10points.
Suns: GLandry Shamet (right foot soreness) was not available. ... Hosted a58th consecutive sellout crowd. ... Chris Paul added 18 points andnine assists. ... Booker’s six 3-pointers tied his career-high inthe regular season. He’s hit that mark 21 times.
UPNEXT
Thunder:Travel to face the Pelicans on Saturday.
Suns: Hostthe Kings on Saturday.
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