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Suns rookies spark massive 122-106 win against Kings
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro had their energetic footprints all over their 122-106 win over the Sacrament Kings.

Dunn finished with 16 points, five rebounds and four steals on the night and Ighodaro was a game-high plus-23 in 32 minutes on the floor with 11 points and six rebounds. Many of the rookies’ points came on electrifying dunks that erupted the PHX Arena crowd.

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker led Phoenix in scoring with 22 points each. Booker added 13 assists and Durant coupled his scoring night with four rebounds and six assists while being a plus-14. Tyus Jones caught heat from beyond the arc, scoring 20 points on 6-for-6 from 3s off the bench.

Following this massive win, Phoenix (31-36) is now 1½ games behind the Dallas Mavericks (33-35) for the 10th seed and final Western Conference play-in spot with 15 games remaining. The Suns take on the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. MDT on ESPN and ABC in Los Angeles.

Suns lose Plumlee to ejection again, control lead in 3rd quarter

Mason Plumlee was ejected for an unnecessary shove to the upper area of Domantas Sabonis with 5:47 left in the third, marking his second-straight ejection in as many games as Phoenix controlled the lead entering the final quarter, 97-83.

Devin Booker scored nine of his game-leading 19 points in the third quarter. Kevin Durant tied him with 19 points of his own to go along with six assists. Bradley Beal also scored nine points in the period for 15 total. Tyus Jones followed with 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc.

Kings surge back on Suns in 2nd quarter

Phoenix led by as much as 18 points in the second quarter until Malik Monk’s 12 points in the period surged the Kings back before halftime, 62-57.

Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones scored just six points in the quarter but led the way in that time. Kevin Durant had 14 points and four assists ahead of halftime, followed by Devin Booker with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Oso Ighodaro was a game-high plus-14 with seven points and three rebounds in 14 first half minutes.

All of Malik Monk’s 12 first half points on 5-of-12 shooting came in the second quarter. Keegan Murray led the Kings with 14 points and four rebounds. Domantas Sabonis struggled, shooting 2-of-8 from the field for six points but snagged six rebounds and dished out five assists in the half.

Dunn, Ighodaro give Suns boost in 1st quarter

Ryan Dunn got the starting nod and immediately gave the Suns what he’s good at: energy. He and Oso Ighodaro, who got early minutes with Richards out, were catalyst to Phoenix’s early first quarter lead, 36-22.

Kevin Durant led the way with nine points and four assists on 3-of-7 shooting. Devin Booker followed with seven points and three assists of his own. Dunn and Ighodaro five and four points respectively and two rebounds a piece in their minutes along with their grit and energy. A Tyus Jones lob to a rolling Ighodaro tore the roof off of PHX Arena.

Keegan Murray led Sacramento with seven points on 3-of-5 shooting in eight minutes of play. Only four other Kings scored in the quarter, including Domantas Sabonis with four points, three rebounds and two assists.

Injury report

Cody Martin was made available for the first time with a sports hernia since being acquired by Phoenix in early February. His impact was needed as Nick Richards (right ankle sprain) and Grayson Allen (left foot strain) were both out. Monte Morris (low back injury management) was out as well.

For Sacramento. Jae Crowder and Trey Lyles were both out with low back soreness. Domantas Sabonis was questionable entering the game with a left hamstring strain but went through his pregame workout and was made available.

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

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