Takeaways from Suns’ last-minute, 109-105 loss to Warriors

Dec 28, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots a three point basket against Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee (22) during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Fighting all the way to the final second, the Phoenix Suns suffered a fourth-quarter implosion in a 109-105 defeat to the Golden State Warriors.

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After doing so on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers, Jonathan Kuminga had himself another 34-point performance for the Warriors (16-15). Stephen Curry posted 22 points, and both Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis added 16.

Against his former team, Kevin Durant had 31 points in the Suns’ (15-16) fifth loss in six games. Bradley Beal clinched 28 points while rookie Ryan Dunn got 15.

Here are the main takeaways from the Suns falling to the Warriors in a nailbiter:

-Already without Devin Booker who is dealing with a left groin strain, the Suns were down another starter. After a serious altercation in Friday night’s loss against the Dallas Mavericks, Jusuf Nurkić was suspended for three games by the NBA. Mavericks’ Naji Marshall was suspended four games while P.J. Washington will miss one for their involvement.

-In what looked like a rivalry was about to renew between Nurkić and Green, Nurkić’s suspension moved that heated back-and-forth to another day. Questionable with a left low back contusion pregame, Green was good to go and almost eclipsed a triple-double with 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

-The Suns were leading 15-13 early on into the first quarter before Golden State went on a 21-12 run in the first quarter. On a recent tear as of late, Kuminga came off the bench and had 34 points from 12-of-20 (60%) shooting from the field and going 2-for-5 (40%) from 3 in the first half.

-Down by seven 34-27 at the end of the first quarter, Phoenix huddled together at the bench to discuss what needed to change going forward. Showing more effort on both ends of the court, the Suns reclaimed the lead with a 12-0 run and five of Beal’s 22 first-half points came during that pivotal stretch.

-As Dennis Schröder was driving at him in the paint, Royce O’Neale jumped up for a block and came down on Schröder’s foot, tweaking his ankle. Squinting in pain, O’Neale was struggling to get up until he walked slowly to the Suns locker room in the second quarter.

-Giving his team extra energy, Josh Okogie battled for every loose ball and was effective in any role he was given. The forward tallied 11 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 31 minutes as he filled in for the injured O’Neale.

-The powerful duo of Green and Curry caused the Suns issues with their long-range shooting. Shooting 3-for-4 (75%) from 3 in the first half, Green took advantage of Phoenix giving him all of the space beyond the arch. One of the best 3-point sharpshooters in NBA history, Curry went 4-for-13 (30.8%) in the game but some of his missed shots ricocheted off the rim and right to a teammate.

Step(h)-back specialist workin'

» https://t.co/UJvZISTyBR pic.twitter.com/1eFjGMNgzy

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 29, 2024

-Without Booker, Durant’s MVP-like season continued into San Francisco. In the past six games, he has scored at least 23 points or more in each one and 30-plus in four of them.

-Turnovers in the second half started to hurt the Suns, seeing passes being intercepted by the Warriors reading where the ball was going. With just three giveaways in the first half, Phoenix’s aggressive and assertive play saw the team turn it over 13 times overall.

-The third quarter was back and forth with multiple momentum changes. Golden State retook the lead and Phoenix stole it right back after it adjusted to O’Neale’s exit.

-Getting the crowd fired up after it looked as if the Suns were going to run away with the game up 100-91, the Warriors made crucial threes and forced major stops. Benefitting from the Warriors’ defense leading to offense, Kuminga scored 13 points in the fourth quarter alone and connected on 8-of-12 free throw opportunities.

-Giving the Warriors a huge chance to come back, the Suns didn’t score from 6:48 left in the fourth quarter until Durant flushed a free throw at 2:15. Collapsing late, Phoenix was limited to 18 fourth-quarter points and was outscored 18-5 in crunch time.

-Putting everything on the line, both teams were clearly fatigued and fouls stacked up as a result. What was looking like a game that was going to be decided by free throws, Beal was controversially called for a foul after being tangled up with Schröder on the floor for the ball.

BREAKING: Jusuf Nurkic suspended 3 games for altercation with Naji Marshall

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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini