Bradley Beal returned to the competition this Friday and completed the star trio, with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, for the Phoenix Suns who beat the Charlotte Hornets 133-119. The constant injuries of the former Washington Wizards player had left the Suns’ ambitious project for this season very affected, which revolved around the triangle formed by Beal, Durant and Booker. In total, Beal has only played seven games so far this season and only three times, including tonight’s game, has Phoenix had all three of its figures at the same time.
Beal played 30 minutes as a starter tonight and contributed 6 points (3 of 8 on field goals), 3 rebounds and 7 assists. Devin Booker added 35 points and 7 assists, Kevin Durant had 21 points and 11 assists, Jusuf Nurkic had 25 points and 15 rebounds and Eric Gordon scored 21 points (7 triples) for the Suns who were already leading by 20 points in the third quarter .
Frank Vogel’s men, with a record of 16-15, have won two in a row after a worrying slump of only three wins in 12 games.
Those who do not raise their head are the Hornets (7-23), who suffered their tenth loss in a row. Terry Rozier’s 42 points (with 8 triples) and 8 assists were of no use in Charlotte. Both teams showed off their accuracy from the perimeter with 18 of 30 in triples for the Suns and 23 of 46 for the Hornets.
For his part, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a marvelous performance this Friday in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s shocking victory against the Denver Nuggets while Ja Morant, after four wins in four games with the Memphis Grizzlies, lost for the first time after returning of his suspension.
Two victories in two weeks put the Thunder on the track of the current NBA champions. Gilgeous-Alexander gave a performance with 40 points and also highlighted Chet Holmgren who went from better to less (24 points and 6 rebounds). The Thunder have six wins in their last seven games.
For their part, the Nuggets noticed the second night of the ‘back-to-back’. Nikola Jokic led Denver with 19 points (9 of 10 shooting), 10 rebounds and 7 assists but was entangled with 7 turnovers.
Morant’s spell ended this Friday as his Grizzlies lost for the first time with the point guard this season. The Clippers imposed their team play (seven players with double digits of points) with Paul George as the top scorer (23 points and 7 rebounds) and Ivica Zubac as a reference inside (15 points and 20 rebounds).
Morant had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Spanish Santi Aldama contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds in Memphis.
