Devin Booker delivered 30 points and 10 assists as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Charlotte Hornets 111-99 on Sunday, halting Charlotte’s 10-game road winning streak. The Suns pulled away in the second half at their home court to secure the win, marking their fourth victory in five games.
Strong Contributions from Suns’ Supporting Players
Rookie forward Rasheer Fleming had a career-best performance with 16 points and four three-pointers, while Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green each contributed 24 points for Phoenix. Gillespie was especially effective from beyond the arc, sinking five three-pointers, with Green adding four. Booker also set a personal mark by making all 15 of his free throws, tying his career best for most made without a miss in a game. The Suns shot a strong 23-of-26 from the foul line overall.
Competitive First Half with Suns Dominating Second Half
The first half saw intense back-and-forth action with 10 ties and 15 lead changes. Charlotte held a narrow 58-60 edge at halftime, helped by LaMelo Ball’s 22 points and four three-pointers. However, Phoenix surged early in the third quarter, scoring the first eight points to build a 68-58 lead that they never relinquished. The Suns maintained control throughout the latter stages, with Gillespie scoring key threes during an important 12-2 run that put the game firmly out of reach.
Hornets’ Road Success Comes to a Halt
The Hornets, who had been 16-5 in their last 21 games and undefeated on the road since January 17, struggled to keep pace in the second half. Miles Bridges added 16 points and Kon Knueppel contributed 15, with Knueppel hitting a three-pointer in the opening quarter. Despite making 15 three-pointers—continuing a streak of at least 15 threes in nine straight games—Charlotte could not overcome Phoenix’s late-game scoring runs. Brandon Miller faced foul trouble but finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Team Updates and Next Steps
The Suns played without Grayson Allen, who was sidelined late with right knee issues. With this win, Phoenix halts a strong Hornets road run and builds momentum for upcoming games. Charlotte begins a four-game road trip, looking to regain their winning form on the road. The game highlights Devin Booker’s role as a clutch performer for the Suns, particularly through his free-throw accuracy and offensive leadership.
“Booker made all 15 of his free-throw attempts, setting a season high in makes and tying a career high for most makes without a miss in a game. The Suns were 23 of 26 from the foul line.” – Field Level Media
