National Basketball Association
Phoenix 133, Charlotte 119
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, December 29, 2023
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #51 Aaron Smith, #91 Cheryl Flores
Attendance: 17071

Devin Booker scored 35 points and four Phoenix scorers posted at least 21 points as the Suns earned back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a month with their 133-119 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

Phoenix shot 46-of-74 from the floor, including 18-of-30 from 3-point range, on a balanced offensive night. Kevin Durant had 21 points and 11 assists and Jusuf Nurkic added 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Eric Gordon chipped in another 21 points off the bench for his second consecutive game scoring at least 21.

Friday also marked the return to the lineup of Bradley Beal, sidelined since sustaining an ankle sprain just minutes into a game on Dec. 15. Beal finished with six points but added seven of Phoenix's 34 assists.

Friday's contest was just the third this season in which Phoenix had Beal, Booker and Durant in the lineup, and the Suns' first win with the three together.

Grayson Allen scored 16 points to round out Phoenix's double-figure scorers, while Chimezie Metu added nine points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Phoenix's 133 points matched its season high in regulation this season.

The Suns' balance fueled an almost-wire-to-wire victory and a lead that grew to as many as 20 points in the third quarter.

Terry Rozier tried to rally the Hornets, shooting 8-of-12 from the floor in the second half as part of his 14-of-22 night. Rozier scored 42 points, one shy of matching his career high, and added a team-leading eight assists.

Brandon Miller added 20 points while Miles Bridges finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

The Hornets suffered their 10th loss in a row and are 0-3 at the midway point of a six-game road trip.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Charlotte   Phoenix
Terry Rozier 42 Scoring Devin Booker 35
Terry Rozier 8 Assists Kevin Durant 11
Miles Bridges 7 Rebounds Jusuf Nurkic 15
Terry Rozier 6 Free Throws Made Devin Booker 10
Cody Martin 2 Steals Kevin Durant 1
Cody Martin 1 Blocks Kevin Durant 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Charlotte 119 47.8 23-46 8-8 32 26 3 5 6
Phoenix 133 62.2 18-30 23-24 34 39 11 3 15
Upcoming Games
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against Orlando. The Suns have a W/L % of .562 after a win and .467 after a loss.
  • Charlotte will play their next game on the road against Denver. The Hornets have a W/L % of .143 after a win and .261 after a loss.