play

The Republic discusses the Suns’ upcoming homestand, matchup with Spurs

The Phoenix Suns begin a 3-game homestand on Oct. 29, in which they host the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs.

Republic staff

  • The Phoenix Suns defeated the San Antonio Spurs 130-118, ending the Spurs’ historic 5-0 start to the season.
  • Devin Booker led the Suns with a double-double, scoring 28 points and providing 13 assists.

The Phoenix Suns put an abrupt end to a historic San Antonio Spurs start in blitzing the visitors, 130-118, Sunday, Nov. 2, before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center.

The Spurs began the season 5-0, their best start in franchise history, but lost to the Suns, who took the lead for good with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter.

With Suns team owner Mat Ishbia sitting courtside, Phoenix (3-4) led by as many as 31 points in the third quarter. Devin Booker posted a double-double of 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and 13 assists in leading the Suns to a second straight win.

The Suns started 6-of-8 from 3 in building a 25-14 lead in the first quarter. They finished 19-of-33 from distance.

Phoenix limited Spurs center Victor Wembanyama to just two points in the first half, a dunk with 1:05 left in the first half.

Averaging 30.2 points coming into the game, the 7-foot-4 phenom finished with nine points, nine rebounds, five fewer than his season average of 14.6, and four blocks.

Phoenix was without Jalen Green (right hamstring strain), Dillon Brooks (core muscle strain) and two-way player Isaiah Livers (right hip contusion).

The Suns look to get their first road win as they face the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 4. Phoenix is 0-3 in away games this season.

The Phoenix Suns have built their largest lead of the game, 70-52, over the unbeaten San Antonio Spurs at halftime.

Victor Wembanyama has just two points on 1-of-5 shooting for the Spurs (5-0) with his only basket, a dunk, coming with 1:05 left in the half. He came into the game averaging 30.2 points.

The 7-foot-4 phenom has five rebounds, three fouls and two assists. Phoenix has had multiple players defend him and trap him in the post.

Devin Booker leads all scorers with 14 points, seeking his fifth consecutive 30-point game. Ryan Dunn has 12 points and Nick Richards has added 10, a season-high, in seven minutes off the bench.

The Suns are 11-of-15 from 3 while the Spurs are 5-of-16.

Entering the game, Phoenix was 16th in 3-point shooting at 35%. San Antonio stood 10th at 38%.

Spurs rookie Dylan Harper has a team-high 12 points off the bench.

The Suns are once again starting Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, Royce O’Neale and Mark Williams.

Phoenix is 1-1 with this starting lineup. This is the third different starting lineup for the Suns.

The Spurs are starting Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes and Victor Wembanyama.

Suns coach Jordan Ott opened his pregame media availability providing update on Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Isaiah Livers.

A two-way player, Livers has been downgraded to out as he was previously listed as doubtful with a right hip contusion. Ott said it’s “nothing serious.”

Brooks (muscle core strain) has been able to work out, Ott said. Brooks will miss his fourth straight game.

As for Green, Ott said the Suns guard had “back-to-back really good days” as he played 5-on-5 on Saturday and Sunday. This again is a major step toward him making his Suns debut.

Green has yet to play a game, preseason or regular season with his new team. He suffered a right hamstring strain in training camp leading up to the Oct. 3 preseason opener.

“It’s feel, how is he feeling,” Ott said. “Him at 60, 70, 80% speed is still pretty fast. It’s just going to take time. Knowing that it may not be full speed right from the jump. That’s just something he’s going to have to get acquainted to and accustomed to as he progresses when he comes back.”

The “60, 70 80%” can be interpreted as the Suns aren’t expecting Green to be 100% when he returns and will be asked to work his way back into it. The next two days will be huge. Ott is also factoring in the Suns playing every other day.

“Tonight is a big assessment to see how he comes out of this morning,” Ott said. “… We got to look at him tonight and tomorrow and see what’s next. It’s a tough week ahead playing every other day, but he’s getting there and that’s a good sign.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.