Suns top Kings 120-109 with Durant watching from bench

PHOENIX (AP)— Devin Booker scored 32 points, Deandre Ayton had 29 points and 11rebounds, and the Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 120-109 onTuesday night with superstar acquisition Kevin Durant watching fromthe bench.

It was thefirst home game for the Suns since they completed a trade withBrooklyn for Durant, who is recovering from a right knee injury andhasn’t played since Jan. 12. He was introduced during a timeout inthe third quarter and received a standing ovation. Durant isexpected back sometime after this weekend’s All-Star break.

“I waswatching him more than anything,” Booker said. “I don’t thinkpeople realize what it is until you’re in it. He deserves it, he’sa legend in this game. I’m glad he’s here.”

Booker was 13of 20 from the field and did not attempt a 3-pointer in 29 minutes.It was his highest-scoring game of the four he’s played sincereturning from a left groin strain that sidelined him for 21games.

“I feel good.It’s been a long recovery road, something I found peace in and justenjoyed the whole process,” Booker said.

Chris Paulhad a season-high 19 assists and scored 17 points for Phoenix,which has won 11 of its last 14. Josh Okogie scored 19 points andmade a team-high three 3-pointers.

“I think wedid a really good job of finding the open man,” Suns coach MontyWilliams said. “Overall, it was a well-balanced game for us,complemented by how hard we played from start to finish.”

De’Aaron Foxled the Kings with 35 points, following up his 36-point performancein a win over Dallas on Saturday.

“We just hadtoo many unforced errors and going up against a team like that youcan’t do that,” Fox said. “They capitalized on just about everyerror that we made today.”

DomantasSabonis had 24 points and 15 rebounds — going 10 for 10 from thefree-throw line — and Kevin Huerter scored 18 for Sacramento, whichsaw its lead over Phoenix in the Pacific Division shrink to onegame.

The Suns ledby as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but the Kings closedwithin four at the end of the period. Sacramento kept it close inthe fourth, but Okogie’s 3 with 1:42 remaining turned out to be theKings’ final basket. Paul responded with a step-back jumper to putthe Suns ahead by nine.

DURANT UPDATE

Before thegame, Williams said Durant is participating in some drills as heprepares to return.

“He’s ingreat shape and going game speed like he always does,” Williamssaid, adding that Durant needs to play in more 3-on-3 and similarcompetition levels before he can return.

DIVISION DOMINANCE

The Suns are9-0 against Pacific Division opponents, the only NBA team without aloss in its division this season.

INJURY REPORT

Kings: Playedwithout Malik Monk (right ankle sprain) and KZ Okpala (kneesoreness).

Suns: BesidesDurant, Cameron Payne (right foot sprain) and Landry Shamet (rightfoot soreness) remain sidelined.

HUERTER ADDED

Huerter hasbeen selected to participate in the 3-point contest this weekend inSalt Lake City. Coach Mike Brown said Huerter is valuable to theKings for more than just his shooting.

“He tries tofind other ways to help us win,” Brown said. “The way hefacilitates, plays the two-man game, he’s shown that he can shootat a high level for many years.”

MISSING BRIDGES

The Suns gaveup a lot to get Durant and Williams said replacing Mikal Bridges, adefensive stalwart at forward, is a challenge.

“Josh(Okogie) and Torrey (Craig) have been taking up some of that role.It’s something we have to figure out, be open-minded about whatthese guys can do and not compare to what Mikal did, it’s not fairto anybody,” Williams said.