And so begins Week 3 for the Phoenix Suns…

After a dominant Week 2, in which the team went 3-0 and Devin Booker won the Western Conference Player of the Week, the team opened with a thrilling victory over the 76ers, winning 118-116 to push their record to 6 -1 was moved. winning their fifth consecutive match.

Kevin Wayne Durant set the tone for Phoenix, scoring 35 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. True to his style, he took some hard shots, but the sniper made it look effortless. His scoring was crucial, especially as Devin Booker struggled at just 3 of 18 from the field.

The Suns attempted just 32 three-pointers in the game, while Philly launched 51. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 32 points, and Paul George, making his debut with the team, added 15. Both players had chances to send the match into overtime or win, but ultimately missed their shots in the closing moments.

Game flow

First half

No Joel Embiid in this game, which meant Andre Drummond would get the starting nod. And given his rebounding prowess – he’s averaging 11.8 per game – that’s what our eyes were on early on to see how he and Jusuf Nurkic would match up. 6 early points for Drummond, but 5 for Nurkic, including a three-ball.

Royce O’Neale looked effortlessly smooth, sinking back-to-back three-pointers to extend the lead to 20-10. His shooting motion seems more fluid than ever, and within Budenholzer’s system he is really finding his rhythm and place on the floor.

Old Man Kyle Lowry kept Philly in the game early, coming off the bench at 38 to score 10 points and spark a 6-0 run that tied the score at 26. Houston shot a solid 47.6% from the field, while Phoenix, with 6 points each from Durant and O’Neale, recorded a tight 45.8%. Paul George was 0-of-5 from the field in his first quarter this season.

Phoenix eventually took the lead, taking a 28-26 lead into the second quarter.

Former Sun Eric Gordon sparked a 9-0 run to open the second quarter, scoring 7 points, including a three-pointer. If only EG showed that level of consistency off the bench for Phoenix last season. The 76ers hit a hot stretch, going 7-for-11 from deep, and had a 41-38 lead when Gordon checked out and gave way to Kyle Lowry.

Bradley Beal found his rhythm in the second quarter, sinking three of his first four shots – including two 3-pointers – and scoring seven points in the first six minutes.

With the Suns leading 54-53 and 5:02 remaining in the half, Mike Budenholzer opted to challenge a play in which Guerschon Yabusele – known for the 2024 Paris Olympics and the French team – was blocked by Jusuf Nurkic. Budenholzer relied on Nurkic, who immediately signed off on the review, and it paid off: the challenge was successful.

Nurkic dominated the boards in the first half, grabbing seven rebounds and effectively boxing out Philly. As a result, the 76ers managed just four offensive rebounds and two second-chance points.

Late in the half, Philly went up on an 8-0 run to take a three-point lead, but Grayson Allen responded with his first three-pointer, tying the game at 63. A pair of free throws by Devin Booker closed out the half off. sending Phoenix to the locker room 65-63.

Both teams scored 37 points in the second quarter. Phoenix’s scoring was led by Kevin Durant’s 15 points, while the 76ers saw contributions from Paul George, who scored all 10 of his points in the second, and Kyle Lowry with 13.

Booker and Durant combined to go 0-of-3 from three-point range in the first half.

Second half

The third quarter brought more balance, with both teams scoring 11 points in the first 5 minutes. The teams went back and forth, putting together their little four-point series. Nurk continued crocheting planks. Bradley Beal continued his sharp shooting, scoring 5 of the Suns’ first 11 points in the quarter.

Tyrese Maxey started to heat up in the third, hitting back-to-back three-pointers. He scored twelve points in the first half. He had 10 with 3:19 left in the third. He’s someone who takes that step back that I swear to this day is a journey, and he’s perfected it.

Serious. Tell me why the photo below is not a trip. He takes two steps in his shot and then two steps to jump.

Maxey cooled off when Ryan Dunn came into the game and started guarding him. What a nice asset to have,

Grayson Allen was given a flagrant foul, penalty one, after kneeing Yabusele in the back of the head. Yes, you read that correctly. Air Allen? Yabusele pumped him in the air, and Allen accidentally made contact with the back of his head. It was one of those moments that just didn’t add up tonight.

Philly’s season high from beyond the arc entering the game was 11 made. After three quarters they had fifteen. After six lead changes and four ties in the third, Phoenix led 94-93 after three quarters.

The 76ers started the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run, taking advantage of three turnovers – two of which came from Tyus Jones – to score four quick points.

Philadelphia kept their three-point shooting strong, making four of their first eight attempts from deep, with Tyrese Maxey knocking down shots and signaling the “three” symbol. The game became more physical, but the referees felt a bit one-sided. Devin Booker was shot on a shot attempt, but no call. Nurkic took a shot to the face from Kelly Oubre – still no call. It promised to be one of those evenings.

Guerschon Yabusele who crushed the Suns. The 76ers head coach made an adjustment in the game, leaving his starting center and inserting Andre Drummond. And it paid off. Yabusele’s previous high score in a game was 16 in 2018 with the Celtics. His previous career-high in three-point field goals made was 3. Tonight he went for 19 points and went 5-for-11 from three.

Kevin Durant kept Phoenix afloat with his expert shots. And they were some tough shots.

Phoenix fought back despite the ball not bouncing their way and facing a lack of calls, closing the gap to 115-114 with 1:50 left in the match on a 10-2 run. A 14-footer from Kevin Durant gave Phoenix the lead with just one minute left.

Maxey converted one of two free throws to tie the game. A crucial offensive rebound from Grayson Allen set up a driving layup from Durant, putting the Suns back in front. Paul George missed a 20-foot jump shot that sealed the outcome. The Suns finished strong with a 14-4 run to secure the victory.

Suns win 118-116.

Next step for the Suns? Wednesday at home against the Miami Heat. The Heat, who lost to the Kings 111-110 tonight, are 3-3 on the season.

We’ll see you then, Bright Side!