SAN ANTONIO —
Postgame
PHOTOS: Suns storm back against Spurs at AT&T Center
Game Story
First Quarter
Dejounte Murray opened the scoring for the Spurs, then Keldon Johnson finished in the paint. Derrick White popped in a pair of floaters before San Antonio began connecting from outside. Doug McDermott netted a pair, and Johnson hit as well.
Devin Booker started on a heater, scoring 18 of the first 22 points for Phoenix. San Antonio took an early lead, but when the other Suns kicked up the scoring they took it back. San Antonio trailed 32-29 after one.
Second Quarter
The Spurs started the second with a quick run behind Derrick White and Keldon Johnson to take a 33-32 lead.
Chris Paul did that point god thing where he finds shots for himself and others, but the Spurs were able to keep things close and even edge in front with Booker catching a breather on the bench.
Book picked up where he left off, creating threes for himself and for Jae Crowder as well. Dejounte Murray answered a three by Booker with one of his own off the bounce, after Phoenix ripped off a 16-7 run to take a seven-point lead.
The Suns led 59-56 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Spurs came out of the locker room sharp, with Derrick White dishing to Jakob Poeltl underneath and then getting to the line. Dejounte hit a floater, then another unassisted three.
San Antonio's starters used a balanced attack to build a 12-point lead, but then got sloppy with the ball and gave up an 11-0 run and the lead after turning it over repeatedly. Jock Landale ended that run with a trailing three, then Lonnie Walker IV picked off a pass and went to the line.
Booker got the ball and scored again, giving him 41 before the fourth. Devin Vassell beat the third-quarter buzzer with a perfect three to give the Spurs a 91-87 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Phoenix opened the final period on an 8-3 run, taking a 97-96 lead before Doug McDermott drove in for a layup. Pop called time after a 7-0 run by the Suns, down 103-98 with 7:44 to play.
The Suns extended their lead to seven points, then Chris Paul stole a Jakob Poeltl pass and went to work on him on the right side of the floor, and the lead was nine. McDermott threw it away up top, and Phoenix made it 11.
Poeltl grabbed a miss and put it back in, then battled Book into a miss. CP3 kept doing that clutch game manager thing that he does, and the Spurs were sloppy.
Booker iced the game, giving him 48 points when it was all said and done.
Pregame
The San Antonio Spurs (16-27) will host the Phoenix Suns (33-9) Monday night. The Spurs are 0-2 versus the Suns this season.
In the Spurs' previous game, the team defeated the Clippers, 101-94, in San Antonio.
Derrick White led the team with 19 points in his return to the court after being out in the NBA's COVID protocols. Dejounte Murray had 18 points and Keldon Johnson ended the night with 17 points.
Here are five things to watch for in tonight's game:
1. The Spurs have lost four-straight games to the Suns at home.
2. The Spurs are 7-17 versus teams with an above .500 record this season.
3. The Spurs are 13-5 overall when leading at halftime.
4. The Suns have won five-straight road games heading into tonight's game versus San Antonio.
5. The Suns are 19-3 versus teams with a sub .500 record this season.
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