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Suns Dominate Second Quarter, Lead Warriors 63-47 at Halftime

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns (8-6) outscored the Golden State Warriors (7-8) 37-16 in the second quarter to take a 63-47 lead at halftime.

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Tonight marked Chris Paul’s first game back in Phoenix since he was traded away this offseason. However, he was ejected late in the second quarter.

Kevin Durant (18/3/3) and Devin Booker (13/5/4) led the Suns in scoring in the first half, as the team took 27 total free throws. Phoenix also did an incredible job defensively, forcing 11 turnovers.

The Suns had won four straight entering tonight since the return of Devin Booker, while the Warriors snapped a six-game losing streak last time out. This is the teams’ first matchup since they met in the season opener, as the Suns won 108-104.

Here’s how the first half action unfolded:

First Quarter

The Suns missed their first few shots, as Klay Thompson opened up the Warriors scoring with a triple. Kevin Durant then had the Suns’ first points with a three of his home with 10:24 remaining in the quarter to tie the game at 3-3.

Thompson had nine of the Warriors first 11 points, as they opened an 11-5 lead with 7:44 to go in the quarter.

Thompson continued to do his thing, while Curry splashed in three of his own, and the Warriors were up 16-11 with 6:48 left in the first. Durant had five of the Suns’ points at this time, while Jusuf Nurkić had four.

Devin Booker subbed out at this point with two points and two assists.

Nassir Little subbed in and continued to ball out off the bench with a slam and then a contested layup. The Suns still trailed 17-21 with 4:51 in the first quarter.

A lot of free throws in the next few minutes between the two teams kept the score close at 27-22 with 2:30 to go.

The Suns were playing stifling defense down the stretch with both Curry and Thompson on the bench, but couldn’t get much going offensively for them.

At the end of the first, it was 31-26 Warriors.

Second Quarter

Booker attacked Paul at the beginning of the second quarter, cashing a mid-range jumper over his former teammate. Thompson responded with a two that was later overturned for a three.

Then, Grayson Allen hit a sweet three-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer, making it 33-31 Warriors with 10:30 remaining in the half.

The Suns took their first lead of the game, 35-34, with 9:38 to go, as Little once again made a nice layup through traffic.

Thompson’s two being overturned to a three was enforced at the 8:28 mark. The Suns led 38-35 at this point.

The Warriors retook the lead with 5:55 remaining after two Andrew Wiggins free throws. It was 42-40 Golden State.

The suns then took it right back after Durant hit a nice floater for his first points of the quarter, then he found Josh Okogie in transition for an easy two with 5:15 left.

This started a 14-0 Suns’ run, and they led 54-42 with 2:59 left. The Suns forced six turnovers on seven Warriors’ possessions from the 5:22 mark to the 3:11 mark. Okogie was everywhere on defense during this stretch.

Okogie made two tough layups in a row with under two minutes to go, as the Suns seemingly got every loose ball and rebound.

Then, Paul was ejected as nothing could go right for the Warriors, and they trailed 47-59 with 23 seconds left.

The Suns made four more free throws to close out the half to take a 63-47 lead.

Phoenix Suns Welcome Back Chris Paul with Tribute Video

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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

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