And so Week 3 begins for the Phoenix Suns…

After a dominant Week 2 in which the team finished 3-0 and Devin Booker was named Western Conference Player of the Week, the team opened with a thrilling victory over the 76ers, winning 118-116 and improving their record to 6- 1 won their fifth game in a row.

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

The Suns attempted just 32 three-pointers in the game, Philly attempted 51. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 32 points, and Paul George, making his team debut, added 15. Both players had the opportunity to swing the game in either direction either in overtime or as a winner, but ultimately missed their shots in the final moments.

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Game flow

First half

No Joel Embiid in this game, which meant Andre Drummond would get the starting job. And given his rebounding abilities – he averages 11.8 per game – we focused on that early on to see how he and Jusuf Nurkic would compare. 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 shot strike seems more fluid than ever and within Budenholzer's system he is really finding his rhythm and his place on the floor.

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

In the end, Phoenix prevailed and took the lead 28:26 in the second quarter.

Former Sun Eric Gordon opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run and scored 7 points, including a three-pointer. If only EG had shown as much consistency last season for Phoenix. The 76ers hit a hot streak, shooting 7 of 11 from deep and holding a 41-38 lead when Gordon left to make way for Kyle Lowry.

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

With the Suns leading 54-53 with 5:02 left in the half, Mike Budenholzer decided to challenge a play on which Guerschon Yabusele – of Paris 2024 Olympics and French team fame – was blocked by Jusuf Nurkic . Budenholzer trusted Nurkic, who immediately signaled for a review, and it paid off: the challenge was successful.

Nurkic dominated the boards in the first half, grabbing seven rebounds and effectively outboxing Philly. As a result, the 76ers only managed 4 offensive rebounds and 2 second chance points.

Toward the end of the half, Philly went on an 8-0 run to take a three-point lead, but Grayson Allen responded with his first three-pointer to tie the game at 63. Two free throws from Devin Booker ended the half. sent Phoenix into the locker room with a 65-63 lead.

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

Booker and Durant combined to go 0-for-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 their little 4-point runs on each other. Nurk continued to grab boards. Bradley Beal continued his hot shooting, scoring 5 of the Suns' first 11 points of the quarter.

Tyrese Maxey really started to get hot in the third period, hitting back-to-back three-pointers. He had 12 points in the first half. He had 10 with 3:19 remaining in the third period. He's someone who makes that bounce back that I swear is a journey to this day, and he's perfected it.

Seriously. Tell me the shot below isn't a trip. He takes two steps into his shot, then two steps to jump.

Maxey cooled off when Ryan Dunn came into the game and began guarding him. What a beautiful enrichment,

Grayson Allen received a flagrant foul (penalty one) after kneeing Yabusele in the back of the head. Yes, you read that correctly. Air Allen? Yabusele faked him with a pumping motion in the air, and Allen accidentally touched the back of his head. It was one of those moments that just didn't fit tonight.

Philly's season-high from beyond the arc was 11 points. After three quarters they had 15. After six lead changes and four ties in the third quarter, Phoenix led 94-93 after three quarters.

The 76ers started the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run and used three turnovers – two of them by Tyus Jones – to quickly score four points.

Philadelphia kept its three-point shooting strong, making four of its first eight attempts from long range, with Tyrese Maxey knocking down shots and signaling the “three” symbol. The game was getting more and more strenuous, but the officiating felt a bit one-sided. Devin Booker was taken down attempting a shot – no decision. Nurkic was shot in the face by Kelly Oubre – still no call. It was shaping up to be one of those evenings.

Guerschon Yabusele, who destroyed the Suns. The 76ers head coach made an adjustment in the game by moving away from his starting center and bringing in 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 scored 19 points and was 5 of 11 from three.

Kevin Durant kept Phoenix afloat with his skillful shooting. And there were some difficult shots.

Phoenix battled back despite the ball not bouncing their way and a lack of calls, cutting the deficit to 115-114 with 1:50 to play on a 10-2 run. A stunning 14-foot shot from Kevin Durant gave Phoenix the lead with a minute left.

Maxey made one of two free throws to tie the game. A key offensive rebound from Grayson Allen set up a layup from Durant, putting the Suns back in the lead. Paul George missed a 22-foot jump shot to seal the outcome. The Suns finished strong with a 14-4 run and secured the win.

Suns win 118-116.

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

See you then, Bright Side!

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