PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 29 points and the Phoenix Suns weathered the loss of Kevin Durant to an ankle injury to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-93 on Tuesday night.
Durant left the game with 3:51 to play in the second quarter and did not return. He headed to the locker room under his own power, and the Suns later said he hurt an ankle without providing any specifics. He finished with 13 points.
Though Oklahoma City won West Group B in the NBA Cup, the Suns were hoping to earn a wild-card berth into the quarterfinals. But they were eliminated when Dallas beat Memphis.
Booker surpassed 15,000 career points with his first basket of the night. He trails only Walter Davis (15,666) on Phoenix’s scoring list.
San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama scored 15 points, all in the second half, and had 13 rebounds. He missed all seven shots in the first half, six from 3-point range.
Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 25 points off the bench. Stephon Castle scored 16.
Tyus Jones scored 16 points, and Royce O’Neale and Bradley Beal had 10 each for Phoenix.
Spurs: Jeremy Sochan returned after missing 13 games with a left thumb injury that required surgery. He came off the bench and contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Suns: Oso Ighodaro started at center for Phoenix in place of Jusuf Nurkic, who's sidelined for at least a week with a right thigh contusion.
The Suns began the game with an 11-0 spurt before Castle scored for San Antonio.
The Spurs were 8 of 44 (18%) from 3-point range.
The Spurs host Chicago on Friday. The Suns visit New Orleans on Friday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives on San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie shoots over Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Phoenix. Phoenix won 104-93. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reacts after falling to the floor against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts with forward Kevin Durant after scoring his 1500th career point against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 37 points and 12 rebounds, Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. hit clutch 3-pointers in the final two minutes, and the Dallas Mavericks overcame a 15-point deficit to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night to keep alive their chances of advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
The Mavericks needed a win and help on the final night of group play to earn the West wild-card spot.
Dallas trailed 111-103 with 3:34 to play and went on a 16-3 run capped by two 3-pointers from Dinwiddie and one from Washington.
Washington scored 18 points, Dereck Lively II had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Dinwiddie scored 16 for the Mavericks, who have won a season-high five consecutive games and nine of their last 10.
Ja Morant scored a season-high 31 points, 15 in the fourth period, for the Grizzlies. They had a season-high six-game winning streak snapped and were eliminated from the Cup race.
Desmond Bane added 19 points while Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 14 of his 16 in the first half.
After Dallas took a 60-57 lead into the second half, the Grizzlies dominated the third period 38-22. The Mavericks answered back in the fourth, 39-21.
Grizzlies: Morant didn’t take a shot until 10:07 was left in the first half and finished the half with five points.
Mavericks: They committed a season-high 25 turnovers but were only outscored on turnover points 27-26 because Memphis committed 19.
The first of Dinwiddie’s back-to-back 3s, pulling up on a fast break, put Dallas ahead for good 113-111 with 1:40 left.
Dallas hit five of seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter while Memphis shot 2 of 10.
The Grizzlies will host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. The Mavericks will begin a two-game Eastern Conference road trip on Thursday against the Washington Wizards.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 121-116. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) shoots against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 121-116. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington reacts after scoring a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 121-116. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins reacts during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins reacts during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game after the game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) goes up for a basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II reacts after a basket after the game during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right, is pressured by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia (3) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
