PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 35 points, Mikael Bridges added a season-high 27, and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to 11 games as they beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-111 on Tuesday night.
The Sons (41–9) continued their best start in a season in franchise history with two double-digit wins this season. They won 18 games in a row from 30 October to 2 December.
Bridges scored the highest score of the season for the second consecutive game. The 6-foot-6 forward had 26 points against the Spurs on Sunday and was arguably even better against the Nets, shooting 10 of 14 off the field and adding eight rebounds and four assists.
The Sons took a 91-82 lead in the fourth quarter and never looked back. Chris Paul finished with 20 points and 14 assists. Cam Johnson had 16 points off the bench.
Brooklyn has suffered five consecutive defeats. Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 26 points while James Harden scored 22 points. Blake Griffin scored 17 points shooting 6-10 off the bench.
Irving was just playing his ninth game of the season and they are all on the road. The star guard is one of the few uneducated players in the NBA and due to the COVID-19 mandate relating to public areas in New York City, he is not allowed to play in home games.
The Sons climbed to a 39-29 lead by the end of the first quarter after shooting 71.4% from the field. Booker scored 14 points after making his first six shots off the ground.
Paul made a driving layup to give the Sun a 65-58 halftime advantage as the buzzer of the second quarter. Paul had nine points and 10 assists in the first half. Harden led the Nets with 15 points before the break.
Tip-ins
Nets: Irving averaged 24.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in his first eight games this season. ... Among those who missed the game: f Kevin Durant (left knee MCL sprain), f Lamarcus Aldridge (left ankle sprain) and f Joe Harris (left ankle surgery). ... Brooklyn coach Steve Nash won both of his MVPs as a player with the Sons.
Sun: Ayton made a comeback after missing the last seven matches with an ankle injury. After losing four games, Crowder was back. ... guards Landry Schmet (right ankle sprain) and Cameron Payne (right wrist sprain) are out. ... hosted a sold out crowd at the Footprint Center for the 12th game in a row.