PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns ended their season seemingly the only way they know how — making it a game ahead of halftime and collapsing in the third quarter to lose to the Sacramento Kings, 109-98.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Nick Richards out to end the season, Phoenix wasn’t expected to compete much against a Sacramento team that had all of their guys playing. However, Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones made it a game scoring 20 and 17 points respectively.
Their efforts weren’t enough for the Kings’ front court, though. Domantas Sabonis finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and six assists on 8-of-10 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range. Jonas Valanciunas led the team in scoring off the bench with 22 points and 10 rebounds on 10-of-11 shooting.
Phoenix (36-46) finished this disappointing season 10 games under .500 and braces for an offseason of major expected change. Could this be the end of an era? Who’s gone and who’s staying? We will all find out soon.
Kings regain control in 3rd quarter
Classic Suns; just when Phoenix looked to be gaining momentum ahead of the halftime break, a third quarter malaise allowed the Kings to regain control and extend their lead in the third quarter, 86-75.
Tyus Jones led Phoenix with 17 points and four assists. Grayson Allen followed with 13 points and Ryan Dunn and Collin Gillespie each had 12 points. Despite Phoenix having four players in double figures compared to Sacramento’s three, the Kings’ scorers were more impactful.
Domantas Sabonis continued his domination, scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and six assists on 8-of-10 shooting and was a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Zach LaVine and Jonas Valanciunas each had 16 points to their names to round out the three-headed scoring attack.
Apr 13, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Suns battle back in 2nd quarter
Phoenix outscored the Kings 29-24 in the second quarter to cut into what was once a 12 point deficit and only go down by three ahead of halftime, 57-54.
Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones continued to lead the way for the Suns. Jones had 11 points and three assists on 5-of-8 shooting. Grayson Allen added 10 points. Collin Gillespie scored six of his nine total points in the period. Jones, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro and Cody Martin were the only Suns with a positive plus-minus.
Sacramento had three players score in double figures led by Domantas Sabonis with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting and 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Jonas Valanciunas followed with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and Zach LaVine had 10 points. Despite playing the most minutes in the game thus far (21), DeMar DeRozan had only four points on five shot attempts.
Apr 13, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) is fouled by Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee (22) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Suns erase early Kings lead in 1st quarter
Despite conceding an early 18-9 lead, Phoenix was able to battle back behind a balanced effort to counter Sacramento’s early attack and keep the game close after the first quarter, 33-25.
Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen led the game with six points each. Allen made both of his 3-point attempts and Jones added two assists. Ryan Dunn, Collin Gillespie and Mason Plumlee started alongside them as four of the five main starters sat out for the final game of the season due to injury or rest.
Zach LaVine and Jonas Valanciunas each got off to a hot start, combining for 20 of the Kings’ 33 points, scoring 10 each. If you add Domantas Sabonis’ effort, those scored all but five of Sacramento’s first quarter points. Sacramento shot 13-of-21 from the field in the opening period and held the Suns to just 10-of-22 shooting.
Apr 13, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) shoots as Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) and forward Keegan Murray (13) defend during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Injury report
Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain), Devin Booker (right calf soreness), Bradley Beal (rest), Nick Richards (right elbow inflammation) and Vasa Micic were all out for the final game of Phoenix’s season. Durant’s ankle injury will officially be season-ending, Beal will have played under 60 games for the fifth time in the last six season.
For Sacramento, Jake LaRavia (left thumb incomplete scaphoid fracture) and Malik Monk (left calf strain) were the only ones out. The Kings opted to play their guys despite clinching a play-in spot earlier this week.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
