Without stars Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns (2-2) endured a late push by the San Antonio Spurs (2-2) that transformed into a 14-point comeback to beat the “Valley Boyz” 115-114 at Footprint Center on Oct. 21.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker (toe) and Beal (back) both haven’t suited up for the Suns in their previous two games against the Utah Jazz and San Antonio.
Coming to Arizona, 2023 #1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama was the Spurs’ biggest threat that the Suns had to pinpoint.
Off to a quick start, Suns forward Kevin Durant had 10 points of his 26 points in the first quarter.
Tagging along, Phoenix big man Yuta Watanabe added 11 points off the bench with.
Last year, both Durant and Watanabe were teammates, but also on the Brooklyn Nets.
With the duo banded back together, Suns fans were getting hyped about their chemistry on the floor.
this duo never fails #ComingInHot pic.twitter.com/CbwZGnlsEI
— 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢☆ (@Stunna999_) November 1, 2023
At the half, Phoenix outscored the Spurs 63-45.
But, the Spurs came out of the locker room for the second and would change the game.
Needing someone to guard Wembanyama, the Suns faithful wanted to see center Bol Bol lock the Frenchman up, but Bol didn’t feature tonight.
So Frank Vogel not gonna throw in bol bol to guard Wemby at all??
He looking sad on the bench.— Marcus Hernandez (@hernama02) November 1, 2023
Frank Vogel need to stop these runs before they get too close; he did this same mess with the Lakers and then he'll get to the post game conference and say what he should have done; some of these players shouldn't even be on the floor; why is bol bol not playing
— Geekista (@africaatl) November 1, 2023
Bol Bol never plays !!!!! He’s a BUST!!!! 4 teams can’t be wrong !!!!
— Mike (@undeeedtedSport) November 1, 2023
Dear Frank Vogel play Bol Bol, Sun have a guy out there who’s only stat is 5 fouls
— Sewdat (@Sewdat4) November 1, 2023
Slowly creeping back, San Antonio small forward Keldon Johnson and Wembanyama scored 11 of 37 points in the third quarter, but were still down by 13.
Johnson had 27 points tonight and he came up with the big play.
After being down 114-113,
Triple teamed, Durant was stripped of the ball by Johnson before the Spurs forward laid it up with 2.0 seconds left to snatch a 115-114 lead.
In the final quarter, the Spurs outscored the Suns 33-19 and overcame a 13-point deficit.
After suffering the shock defeat within seconds, Phoenix fans let out their emotions after.
Choked the lead. It’s alright we get em next time
— Cory Campbell (@Cory_Campbell12) November 1, 2023
That loss is on Vogel.
— Rich (@rwsgolf) November 1, 2023
Thanks for the extra AZ sports pain. I really needed it.
— Ryan (@Whitebird480) November 1, 2023
Bro this team needs a wake up call, and if this ain’t it idk what will be. You cannot blow a 20 point lead. Never seen a team turn the ball over this much, and get sloppy on D and go ice cold shooting. What an atrocious mess of a loss. To the SPURS. I am disgusted
— roy (@roymccoy22) November 1, 2023
You know what would be great? If Devin Booker or Bradley Beal could help Kevin Durant out just a little bit, that would be great.
— Paul Yarger (@vvrounder) November 1, 2023
Both teams play again at Footprint Center on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.
San Antonio Spurs (1-2) at Phoenix Suns (2-1) Game Preview: Wemby Comes to Town
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Alec Cipollini is a journalist covering the Arizona Coyotes, Cardinals and Phoenix Rising for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
