PHOENIX — Nick Richards’ career night of 20 points and 19 rebounds was just enough for the Phoenix Suns to get past the Washington Wizards, 119-109.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Suns started the game dominant, behind Kevin Durant’s 29 points (11-of-19 FG), but lost focus and were outscored 56-51 in the second half.
Bradley Beal added 20 points (6-13 FG), Devin Booker had 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists and Tyus Jones gave the Suns another 16 points from the starting lineup.
Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma exploded for 30 points and 10 rebounds and was a key figure in Washington cutting the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter. The Wizards had five other players in double figures for the game: Jordan Poole (19), Jonas Valanciunas (16), Bilal Coulibaly (12), Bub Carrington (11) and Alex Sarr (11).
The Suns open up their three-game homestand with a win and take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
Wizards dig into Suns lead in 3rd quarter
The Wizards brought the game back to within four points at one point in the third quarter, but Kevin Durant and Nick Richards’ efforts pushed the Suns up 96-85 after three quarters.
Richards grabbed his career-high 18th rebound in the third quarter as a part of a dominant 15-point, 18-rebound game thus far. Durant supplied offensive ammunition with 24 points (10 in the quarter) on the night.
Richards dominates boards in 2nd quarter
Nick Richards dominated the boards through the first half, snagging 15 rebounds (five offensive) to lead the Suns over Washington into halftime, 68-53.
Devin Booker scored 15 points in the half, leading all scorers. Kevin Durant followed with 14. Bradley Beal (10), Grayson Allen (8) and Tyus Jones (8) flanked the star duo and were crucial to extending the lead over the Wizards.
Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 14 points (6-of-13 FG), followed by Jonas Valanciunas with 10. They were the only Wizards in double figures.
Suns surge past Wizards in 1st quarter
Despite a hot start for Kyle Kuzma (12 points on 5-of-8 shooting), the Suns put together a 25-5 run over five minutes to take a convincing lead in the first quarter, 35-24.
Kevin Durant led the Suns’ balanced first quarter effort with seven points (3-7 FG). Devin Booker and Bradley Beal followed with six points each. Rookie Ryan Dunn tweaked his ankle on a drive to the rim just two minutes into the game and went to the locker room right after. He was listed out for the remainder of the game.
Kuzma led all scorers with 12 points.
Jan 25, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) shoots against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Injury report
Every player on the Suns roster was active as Bradley Beal (ankle), who was listed probably before the game, returned to the lineup alongside center Jusuf Nurkic who missed the entire road trip due to illness and reconditioning.
For Washington, Marvin Bagley III (right knee sprain), Saddiq Bey (left knee ACL surgery), and Malcolm Brogdon (right foot plantar fascia contusion) were all out.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenosports, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
