*Frank Vogel postgame press conference after Phoenix Suns defeat Portland Trail Blazers 120-107*
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Phoenix Suns spoiled the return of Deandre Ayton tonight, as they beat the Blazers 120-107. This was the fourth straight victory by the Suns, as they improve to 8-6 on the year, while the Blazers fell to 3-11. Phoenix is also now 2-1 in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Ayton started off this game strong, but ended up being a -33 in 30 minutes, posting 18 points and eight rebounds.
However, this game was all about Kevin Durant once again.
Durant had a historic night in a multitude of ways. He passed Elvin Hayes for 11th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, played his 1,000th career game and also secured his fourth-straight 30-point game. Durant now needs less than 100 points to move into the top-10 all-time in scoring.
In total, Durant finished with 31 points, nine assists, four rebounds and a block in Deandre Ayton’s first game back in Phoenix.
Devin Booker tacked on 26 and six assists. Jusuf Nurkic had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Nassir Little added 13 off the bench, as the two squared off against their former team. The stat of the night and a big mention postgame was the Suns having 66 points in the paint.
“We’ll take the paint first,” Vogel said. “66 points in the paint, 28 free throws. No need to shoot threes if we’re getting to the basket.”
The Suns welcome Chris Paul and the Warriors tomorrow night at Footprint Center in the second game of a back to back.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
