The Phoenix Suns (23-15) hosted the Washington Wizards (10-27) at Mortgage Matchup Center on Sunday.
The Suns were coming off a tough win against the New York Knicks, while the Wizards lost to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Phoenix sat seventh in the Western Conference, only half a game behind the Houston Rockets.
“I think our defense has been consistently at a high level,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said. “We continue to force turnovers. We’ve done a better job in transition as of late, starts with taking care of the basketball. Tonight will be a different challenge.”
As for the Wizards, they were in a rebuild mode as they sat 14th in the Eastern Conference.
Despite that, the Wizards had recently acquired point guard Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in a blockbuster trade.
Despite the trade, Young would not play as he was dealing with a quadriceps injury.
“We just got him a few days ago,” Wizards head coach Brian Keefe said regarding Young’s injury. “The first thing for him is to get him healthy. That’s where we’re at right now. It’s so early, I don’t have a timeline on anything yet.”
The Wizards were also without Cam Whitmore (shoulder).
As for the Suns, Jalen Green (hamstring) was still out, and Jaramee Bouyea (concussion) was also out.
The Wizards were led mostly by center Alex Sarr, as he led the team in rebounds with an average of 7.5 rebounds per game, and led the team in points as he averaged 17.3 points per game.
Kyshawn George also provided a lot for Washington, as he averaged 15 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 5 assists per game.
As for the Suns, Dillon Brooks and Devin Booker led the way when it came to scoring, as Brooks averaged 21.3 PPG, while Booker averaged 25.5 PPG.
Booker also led the team in assists with 6.4 APG.
Mark Williams, despite only having 12.3 PPG, was averaging 8.2 RPG—a key factor in keeping Sarr in check in the battle of the centers.
“We try to use the speed,” Ott said regarding Williams. “And we switch defensively, so a lot of times he’s on the perimeter as long as we can secure it. We love to put stress on their defense early by running to the rim. Mark (Williams) is helping us even though he doesn’t actually get the shot or pass to make a play. He’s helping us with his speed.”
Entering the halfway point of the season, both teams were in completely different spots.
“It’s another night for us to continue to get better,” Ott said. “This is a night for us to take another step. We know what’s coming, a road trip, which is a long one. We got to set the tone right off the bat and play our style of basketball.”
Early in the first, as the Suns were up five, Booker went down after some contact during a screen. Booker was able to get up on his own, but the Suns still took an injury timeout.
Despite that, Booker stayed in the game.
Entering the second quarter, the Suns led by four.
Sarr led the way for Washington, having nine points and five rebounds.
As for the Suns, Booker matched Sarr’s level, with eight points and six assists.
Entering the second half, the Suns had amassed a 65-50 lead.
“It’s a different challenge every night,” Ott said. “We start with our initial approach of coming out, being as good as we can be defensively, running the offense, moving bodies. We’re at a good point.”
Booker had been playing well, with 13 points and seven assists.
Royce O’Neale was having a solid game, with 11 points and five rebounds, while Grayson Allen was having a similar game with nine points and five rebounds.
“I think it’s the way the team is built,” O’Neale said. “The way coach wants us to play. I think my shooting is an advantage for us on offense and creating space, getting to the basket. Just being confident and continuing to put in the work.”
As for Washington, only Sarr was putting up numbers, with 13 points and nine rebounds, and was almost certain to get a double-double.
Phoenix had their three-point shooting, as they were 10-for-27 from downtown while the Wizards were 3-for-13.
Midway through the third quarter, Justin Champagnie and Brooks were both given technicals after exchanging words with each other.
Entering the fourth quarter however, the Suns were just looking to finish the game, as they were up 96-67.
“It’s to come in and take care of business,” Ott said. “Our intent to come out, especially in the third quarter, where they could creep back in the game. Our intent to really put it away in the third, our approach is as good as it gets around the league.”
O’Neale had surpassed Booker in points with 19, but Booker still had 17 points and eight points.
“These guys respond to me,” O’Neale said. “Creating opportunities for myself and taking open shots.”
Allen had 12 points and seven rebounds as well for Phoenix.
As for Sarr, he had 17 points and 14 rebounds despite the deficit and had his double-double.
Sarr was also one rebound away from tying his career high.
In the end, Phoenix won comfortably, 112-93.
“Just connected,” Booker said. “Communication at a high level. We wanted to come out and handle business and not play with the game tonight. That was our point of emphasis and once we’re guarding like that, everything else becomes a lot easier.”
Tre Johnson and Sarr both finished with 19 points, the most for the Wizards.
Sarr finished with 15 rebounds, tying his career high.
O’Neale led the way for Phoenix with 19 points, with Booker tailing him with 17 points.
“When your best players play hard, it’s easy to get the group to follow,” Ott said. “Booker is different. You talk about the scoring, three levels scoring but the effort he puts forth on the defensive end. His ability to share, make the right play. When your best player does that, it’s easy to follow.”
O’Neale and Williams both finished with seven rebounds, while Booker finished with eight assists.
The Suns jump to 24-15 while the Wizards fall to 10-28.
The Suns visit the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on Tuesday.