Phoenix, Arizona – Kevin Durant’s clutch free throws propelled the Phoenix Suns to a stunning 119-117 comeback victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. Grayson Allen’s sensational performance, tying a franchise record with nine 3-pointers, helped fuel the Suns’ remarkable rally, overcoming a 17-point deficit in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter.
Durant, who finished with 27 points, expressed his disbelief at the Suns’ triumphant turnaround. “I have no clue,” Durant admitted. “Everything happened so fast. I guess we were all in a zone and locked in.”
The Suns disrupted the Kings’ free-flowing offense, pressuring Domantas Sabonis and employing effective 1-on-1 defensive strategies. This defensive adjustment forced the Kings into a different style of play, causing their downfall.
Notably, the Suns became only the second team in the past 25 seasons to erase a deficit of 20 or more points within the final eight minutes of a game. The other team achieving this feat was the Kings themselves against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020.
Devin Booker contributed 16 points and 11 assists, while Bradley Beal added 13 points and Jusuf Nurkic registered a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Suns.
Durant’s crucial free throws in the final seconds gave Phoenix their first lead since the early stages of the game. De’Aaron Fox’s 33-point effort for the Kings tied the score momentarily, but a foul on Durant resulted in his game-winning free throws. The Kings’ last-second shot fell short, securing the Suns’ sensational comeback victory.
Sacramento’s coach, Mike Brown, lamented the team’s collapse in the final minutes, attributing it to tough shot attempts at the rim and a lack of ball and body movement. The Kings’ stagnant offense and turnovers ultimately cost them the game.
Despite a valiant effort from the Kings’ Keegan Murray, Sasha Vezenkov, and Malik Monk, who scored 18, 14, and 13 points respectively, Sacramento suffered their third consecutive defeat.
The Phoenix Suns showcased resilience and mental fortitude, proving that no team is ever truly out of a game in the modern NBA. Their strong finish and strategic adjustments sealed a memorable victory.