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Devin Booker leads Suns in dominant 40-point win over Raptors

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 12:40 AM ET

PHOENIX — Devin Booker’s 27 points led the Phoenix Suns to a much-needed bounce back 129-89 win against the Toronto Raptors.

After its competitive effort was critiqued in a 107-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Phoenix almost exercised its demons and started Monday’s game with little energy until Booker led the Suns to a dominant second quarter.

Booker was one of seven Phoenix players to score in double figures, followed by Ryan Dunn with 17 points. Kevin Durant scored just 14 points, three rebounds and three assists on only seven shot attempts in 26 minutes of play.

Phoenix (32-37) is now one game behind the Dallas Mavericks (33-36) for the 10th seed and final spot in the West play-in. The depleted Mavs take on the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, which is when the Suns take on the Chicago Bulls, who are one of the last two teams under .500 left on their schedule.

Suns break away in 3rd quarter

Six Suns reached double-digit scoring figures in the third quarter to take their lead to as much as 33 points before taking a 93-64 lead into the final quarter.

Devin Booker led Phoenix through three quarters with 20 points, four rebounds and six assists on 5-of-11 shooting. Kevin Durant scored nine of his 14 total points in the third quarter, attempting only seven shots in in 26 minutes. Tyus Jones continued to spark off the bench, trailing Booker as the leader in scoring with 15 points and four assists. Oso Ighodaro remained positive while on the floor, boosting his plus-minus to a plus-38 on the night.

Booker, Suns flip the script in 2nd quarter

A 10-0 Phoenix run ignited a massive 39-11 quarter to give the Suns a massive lead ahead of halftime, 63-40.

Devin Booker scored 13 of his 15 points in the period and finished the half with five assists and a plus-22 in 19 minutes. Mike Budenholzer rode the group that started the run for most of the quarter as Kevin Durant didn’t check in until there was just over two minutes remaining. Oso Ighodaro, Tyus Jones and Royce O’Neale played the entire second quarter. Ighodaro was a game-high plus-28 in the half.

Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and AJ Lawson led the Raptors with seven points each. Toronto’s first -quarter momentum disappeared out of thin air in the second quarter due to Phoenix’s energetic, stifling defense.

Raptors capitalize on low-effort Suns in 1st quarter

It has been a troublesome trend for Phoenix to start games with low energy and tonight was no different. Toronto, despite being depleted, started the game with intention and pick up an early lead, 29-24.

Two-way guard Collin Gillespie got his first career start in Bradley Beal’s absence. Normally, Tyus Jones would be inserted into the lineup, but Jones has been shining in his bench role. Budenholzer started Gillespie in the second half of their loss to the Lakers on Sunday when Beal left at halftime.

Nick Richards led the Suns with eight points in the opening quarter, followed by Ryan Dunn with five. Gillespie hit a 3-pointer early in his start. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combined for five points on 2-of-5 shooting.

Injury report

Mike Budenholzer told the media pregame that Bradley Beal will be out and re-evaluated in one week with a left hamstring strain. Beal left Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half with hamstring soreness. Grayson Allen was out for the fourth consecutive game with a left foot strain. Nick Richards (right ankle sprain), Cody Martin (sports hernia) and Monte Morris (low back injury management) were all available.

For Toronto, RJ Barrett (illness), Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Gradey Dick (right knee bone bruise), Jakob Poeltl (rest) and Ja’Kobe Walter (right hip flexor) were all out.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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