Game Recap: Suns’ valiant effort falls short in 109-105 loss to Warriors

The Phoenix Suns fall Golden State Warriors109-105. It’s two in a row for Phoenix after a win on Christmas Day.

It was the Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant show in the first half for the Suns as they combined for 40 points. Their intensity throughout the first three quarters had them gasping for air as they tried to close out the game, but they were not alone. Josh Okogie and Ryan Dunn stepped up with key defensive efforts and the ability to finish around the rim. Their contributions allowed Beal and Durant to stay fresh and continue to make an impact, giving the Suns the support they needed to keep the game close.

Both teams battled hard until the end, each looking for a much-needed win to break free from the .500 mark and secure their 16th win of the season. But tonight, it was the Warriors who finished a little stronger than the Suns, and ultimately took the win. Despite a valiant effort from Phoenix, Golden State’s late-game execution proved to be the difference.

Game Flow

First half

Bradley Beal was absolutely on fire to start the game. Beal made up for a poor performance in his previous outing, scoring 10 of the Suns’ first 12 points. The first quarter was played at a fast pace, with the Suns working to match the Warriors’ hustle and impressive shooting from behind the arc. This time, the Suns did a better job of responding and staying competitive.

When Beal started missing a few shots, the Suns became a bit stagnant and the focus was more on Kevin Durant working his way into his spot. Slowing down the game and then letting the Warriors go on a 5-0 run to take a seven-point lead gave them a 25-18 lead with four minutes left in the first quarter.

But the defense, led by Durant and the Suns as a whole, stood out and prevented the Warriors from gaining significant momentum on the offensive end. A few key blocks and several tipped passes disrupted the Warriors’ flow and prevented them from pulling away. Instead of finding themselves down by double digits, the Suns managed to stay within striking distance as their strong defensive effort helped offset their offensive struggles.

At the end of the first quarter, the Suns trailed the Warriors 34-27, fueled by 12 points from Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors dominated the interior and outscored the Suns 18-8 in the paint, which proved to be a key factor in building their early lead.

The game was a one-point game due to the relentless efforts of Josh Okogie, who consistently finished at the rim and gave the Suns crucial second-chance opportunities. His hustle and energy sparked the Suns’ comeback, tied the score early in the second quarter and shifted the momentum in their favor. The Suns’ defense led to great offense.

Six minutes into the second quarter, Bradley Beal knocked down a three-pointer, bringing his total to 20 points for the game. The shot gave the Suns a three-point lead and showed Beal’s impact as a playmaker. With defenders drawn to him in double teams, Beal skillfully found his teammates for easy buckets, further elevating the Suns’ offense.

The Suns appeared poised to extend their lead to double digits after going on a 9-2 run, but Draymond Green had other plans. He caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down three consecutive three-pointers to narrow the gap, cutting the Suns’ lead to just two points.

Going into the half, the Suns held a 65-61 lead behind Durant and Beal combining for 40 points.

Second half

Trayce Jackson-Davis dominated the opening minutes of the third quarter, showing his versatility on both ends of the floor. He blocked shots, finished on the fast break and secured crucial second-chance rebounds. Jackson-Davis scored the first seven points of the quarter, setting the tone for the Warriors and energizing his team.

The third quarter turned into a neck-and-neck battle, characterized by tough defense and scoring struggles on both sides. It was the lowest scoring quarter of the game so far as both teams struggled hard from beyond the arc. With just three minutes left in the quarter, the Suns and Warriors had combined for just three points, underscoring the grind-it-out nature of the period.

Turnovers plagued the Suns in the third quarter, making it difficult for them to create separation from the Warriors. Six costly turnovers led to nine points for Golden State, keeping the game close. But in the final three minutes of the quarter, the Suns regained some momentum. The return of Josh Okogie brought renewed energy and Oso Ighodaro made a significant impression with clutch block. Those plays helped the Suns close out the quarter on a high note and brought a spark of confidence into the final frame.

Ryan Dunn finishing on a fast break helped fuel this team even more.

The Suns maintained their energy to start the fourth quarter, with Oso Ighodaro making his presence felt on the interior and both Josh Okogie and Saben Lee stirring things up on the perimeter. Bradley Beal took full advantage, capitalizing on wide shots while also contributing to the defense with key blocked shots. His all-around effort helped keep the Suns in check and set a strong tone to open the final frame.

With 9:40 left in the game, the Suns held a 94-87 lead.

The pressure on the Suns was constant for the first six minutes of the final quarter, led by none other than Dunn.

With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Suns became the first team to reach the 100-point mark with a 100-91 lead. Their defense forced the Warriors into rushing three-point attempts, many of which missed. Buddy Hield in particular struggled from beyond the arc, failing to make a single three-pointer and missing all seven of his attempts up to that point.

But with Kevin Durant struggling, the Warriors took advantage of a 4-0 run that quickly closed the gap. Sensing the momentum shift, the Suns called a timeout to regroup and keep the game from slipping away.

The Warriors turned that 4-0 run into an 11-0 run as the Suns continued to turn the ball over. Suddenly, the Suns looked tired and disorganized, unable to execute a clean offensive game. Their mistakes and lack of focus allowed Golden State to take control and put the Suns on their heels.

traded late-night leads, the Warriors and Suns left it all on the floor until the final whistle.

When Durant took the shot to bring the Suns up by one, he failed to put it through the bottom of the net, and the Suns ultimately fall to the Warriors 109-105.

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The Suns host the Grizzlies at home on Tuesday night.