“There’s no secret, they’re gonna put in in every pick-and-roll.”Kidd: Suns will hunt Luka Doncic, “He’s got to participate. He’s got to play defense.” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Devin Booker scored a season-high 49 points and added 10 assists, Chris Paul had 17 points and 13 assists in his return to the lineup, and the visiting Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 140-130 on Thursday night to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference. Mikal Bridges scored 22 points, Deandre Ayton had […]NBA roundup: Devin Booker scores 49, Suns clinch top seed in West — Stabroek News
Boston is the hottest team in the East and a legit contender.NBA Power Rankings: Suns hold on to top spot, Celtics climb to second — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
The Grizzlies are third, is it time to consider them legit contenders?NBA Power Rankings: Suns, Heat remain on top, put Grizzlies as contenders, too — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
GAME #66 – TORONTO RAPTORS (35-30) at PHOENIX SUNS (53-13)
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 – 9 P.M. (ET) – FOOTPRINT CENTER
TV: SPORTSNET – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
• The Toronto Raptors (35-30) continue a six-game road trip (March 6-16) Friday night against the Phoenix Suns (53-13) at Footprint Center. The Raptors are 3-5 since the All-Star break. Toronto will play six straight games (Mar. 9-18) versus Western Conference opponents. The Raptors are 12-11 against the West this year, after going 10-20 last season.
• The Raptors snapped a three-game winless streak (Mar. 3-6) Wednesday night with a 119-104 victory in San Antonio. Toronto shot .482 (41-85) from the field and .929 (26-28) from the free-throw line, after going .407 (110-270) from the field and .684 (54-79) from the free-throw line in its previous three games. The Raptors are a perfect 6-0 this season when they shoot 90 percent or better from the foul-line.
• All-Star Fred VanVleet returned to the lineup Wednesday night in San Antonio after missing five straight games (Feb. 28 – Mar. 6) with right knee soreness. VanVleet finished with a team-high 26 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes. He has now recorded 20+ points a career-best 30 times in 53 games played this season, something he did in 27-of-52 contests last year. VanVleet is averaging career highs of 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists this season.
• Pascal Siakam is averaging 21.5 points, and career bests of 8.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists, in 52 games this season. Siakam is one of just seven players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0
assists, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Dejounte Murray and Julius Randle. No Raptor has averaged 20-8-5 over the course of an entire season.
• Scottie Barnes scored 20 points and added eight rebounds in 34 minutes Mar. 9 at San Antonio. Barnes is now tied for second with Vince Carter (1998-99) and Marcus Camby (1996-97) having tallied 20+ points and 5+ rebounds in 14 games as a rookie this season. Damon Stoudamire (16) holds the franchise record.
• Toronto outrebounded the Spurs 47-36, including 13-7 on the offensive glass, Wednesday night. The Raptors (13.2) currently rank second in the NBA in offensive rebounds. Toronto is +17 (69-52) on the offensive glass through five games in March and has collected a league-best 69 offensive boards this month.
• Pascal Siakam tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes Mar. 9 at San Antonio. Siakam has scored 20+ points in four consecutive games (Mar. 3-9), averaging 26.5 points and shooting .528 (38-72) from the field during this stretch. Siakam has recorded 20+ points in 33-of-52 games played this season, something he did 33 times in 56 contests last year.
• Scottie Barnes was named Eastern Conference rookie of the month for February after averaging 15.2
points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 31.8 minutes in 12 games last month. Barnes is the 11th
player in franchise history to earn the honour.
F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.4 REB: 7.6 AST: 3.3 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 15.0
• Recorded 20 points (8-12 FG, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds and one assist in 34 minutes Mar. 9 at San Antonio.
• Ranks among the top-five rookies in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes.
• Has scored 20+ points 14 times – most by a Raptors rookie since Vince Carter (23) during the 1998-99 season.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 37.6 REB: 8.4 AST: 5.0 STL: 1.3 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 21.5
• Finished with 20 points in 37 minutes Wednesday in San Antonio; added eight rebounds and three assists.
• Leads the Raptors with a career-best 20 double-doubles this season.
• Averaging 24.8 points and shooting .495 (45-91) from the field through five games in March.
C – KHEM BIRCH #24
MIN: 18.2 REB: 4.4 AST: 1.1 STL: 0.7 TO: 0.5 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 4.6
• Contributed four points and four rebounds in 17 minutes Mar. 9 at San Antonio.
• Has scored in double figures four times this season (Last: 11 – Mar. 1 vs. Brooklyn).
• Averaging 5.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 18.2 minutes in 16 games as a starter this season.
G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.7 REB: 2.6 AST: 2.1 STL: 1.9 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 17.9
• Tallied 17 points, four rebounds, two steals and one assist in 35 minutes Wednesday night in San Antonio.
• Ranks second in the NBA in deflections (204) and tied for second (1.86) in steals.
• Has recorded a team-best 104 steals this year after collecting 105 steals in his first three seasons combined.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.1 REB: 4.5 AST: 6.8 STL: 1.6 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 21.5
• Scored a team-high 26 points in 34 minutes Mar. 9 at San Antonio; added six rebounds, two assists & two steals.
• Ranks third in the NBA in three-point field goals (211) and deflections (203), despite missing 12 games.
• The Raptors are 12-4 this season when VanVleet scores 25+ points.
OG Anunoby (Right Hand; Ring Finger – Fracture) – Out
Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment) – Out
Justin Champagnie (G League – Two-Way) – Out
Malachi Flynn (Left Hamstring; Strain) – Out
David Johnson (G League – Two-Way) – Out
UPDATED: Mar. 11, 2022
NEXT GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Denver Nuggets
Date: Saturday, March 12
Tip-Off: 9 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Ball Arena
Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. DENVER
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2021-22 0-1 0-1 0-0
ALL-TIME 20-31 13-13 7-18
STREAKS Lost 2 Lost 1 Lost 4
LAST WIN: Mar. 24, 2021 (135-111)
LAST ROAD WIN: Nov. 18, 2016 (113-111 OT)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +27 (Mar. 23, 2007)
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -39 (Dec. 2, 2008)
LAST TIME VS. DENVER
GAME 55 – FEBRUARY 12, 2022
DENVER 110, TORONTO 109
TORONTO — Rookie guard Bones Hyland made a tiebreaking 3-pointer
with 2:16 to play, Nikola Jokic added a pivotal late block, and the Denver
Nuggets beat Toronto 110-109, ending the Raptors’ winning streak at
eight … Jokic had 28 points and 15 rebounds, Jeff Green scored 19 points
and Aaron Gordon had 13 as the Nuggets won for the third time in four
games … Hyland scored 11 points and Will Barton had 10 … Pascal
Siakam scored a season-high 35 points and had 10 rebounds, but the
Raptors lost for the first time since Jan. 26 at Chicago … Fred VanVleet
scored 25 points, Scottie Barnes had 17 and Gary Trent Jr. 11 … Barnes
scored to knot it at 103-all with 2:33 left, but the Nuggets scored seven of
the next 10 points, leading 110-106 after Barton’s basket with 28 seconds
left … VanVleet cut it to 110-109 with a 3 with 22 seconds remaining …
After a Denver timeout, Jokic was fouled but missed both free throws,
giving Toronto possession with 12.2 seconds to play … VanVleet missed a
3, and Jokic preserved the win with a huge block on OG Anunoby’s followup shot attempt … Jokic scored 18 points in the first quarter as Denver led
31-25 … Siakam replied with 13 in the second and the Raptors led 57-56
at halftime … Toronto took an 86-83 lead to the fourth … Denver outrebounded Toronto 50-35 as the Nuggets improved to 21-8 when they have
more rebounds than their opponent.
1 2 3 4 TOT
DENVER 31 25 27 27 110
TORONTO 25 32 29 23 109
W-L EAST WEST
OVERALL 35-30 23-19 12-11
HOME 17-15 11-9 6-6
AWAY 18-15 12-10 6-5
OVERTIME 2-1 2-1 0-0
The NBA championship road goes through Phoenix.Three Things to Know: Suns make statement in clinching playoff berth vs. Heat — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
The Jazz and Celtics are surging up the rankings as well.NBA Power Rakings: Suns stay on top, barely, with Heat, Grizzlies close — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Boston is the hottest team in the league thanks to their elite defense.NBA Power Rankings: Suns still on top, Grizzlies second, Celtics climbing — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Phoenix is steamrolling the league and other contenders are looking at trades to catch up.NBA Power Rankings: Everyone is chasing the Suns (and a good trade) — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Memphis remains second in the rankings.NBA Power Rankings: Suns on top but heat climbing fast — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
TORONTO & PHOENIX POSTGAME VIDEO: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2j8fgl17gig3szo/AAB_ze09Pd9gbmQ4iXZXs3URa?dl=0
|TORONTO RAPTORSPOSTGAME NOTES|
FINAL SCORE: PHOENIX SUNS 99, TORONTO RAPTORS 95
DATE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022
|FINAL SCORE||RECORD||HIGH POINTS||HIGH REBOUNDS||HIGH ASSISTS|
|Phoenix||99||31-9||Crowder – 19||Ayton – 9||Paul – 12|
|Toronto||95||20-18||Anunoby – 25||Boucher – 16||Siakam – 7|
Trailing 90-89 with 1:02 remaining in the fourth quarter, Devin Booker hit a jump shot to put the Suns up by one … Following a miss from Pascal Siakam, Chris Paul made a pullup two to push the lead to three … Phoenix made all six of its free throw attempts in the final 10 seconds to preserve the victory.
Phoenix shot .473 (35-74) from the field, while holding the Raptors to .404 (36-89) shooting from the floor … Toronto shot just 28 percent (7-25) in the fourth, including .154 (2-13) from three-point range.
- With the loss, Toronto falls to 20-18 this season and 12-11 at home … The Raptors willbegin a five-game road trip (Jan. 14-21), Friday in Detroit.
- OG Anunoby scored a team-high 25 points and added two rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes … Anunoby has scored in double digits in every game since returning to the lineup Dec. 31, averaging 19.3 points and shooting .469 (45-for-96) from the field during this span.
- Pascal Siakam tallied 22 points, seven rebounds and a team-best seven assists in 39 minutes … Siakam has now recorded five or more assists in a career-high eight consecutive games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 11), averaging 6.5 assists during this stretch … With his 22 points tonight, Siakam passed Jose Calderon (5,234) for eighth on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list (5,255).
- Fred VanVleet finished with 21 points, five assists and two steals in 44 minutes … VanVleet has now made 4+ three-pointers in a franchise record nine consecutive games (Dec. 14 – Jan. 11) … VanVleet has finished with 20+ points in eight of his last nine games played (Dec. 14 – Jan. 11), averaging 29.6 points and shooting .465 (89-for-191) from the field, including .451 (51-for-113) from beyond the arc …. Tonight, he reached 1,500 assists, becoming just the seventh Raptor to achieve the milestone.
- Chris Boucher recorded 13 points and a team-high 16 rebounds in 37 minutes off the bench for his third double-double of the season … Boucher collected 15+ rebounds for just the fifth time in his career and second time this season.
- OG Anunoby (25), Pascal Siakam (22)and Fred VanVleet (21),combined to score 68 of Toronto’s 95 points … Tonight marked just the second game this season VanVleet, Siakam and Anunoby each scored 20+ points.
- The Raptors grabbed a season-best 22 offensive rebounds, led by a career high-tying nine offensive boards from Chris Boucher and career-best five offensive rebounds from Justin Champagnie.
- With the win, Phoenix improves to31-9, including 14-4 on the road … The Suns have won three consecutive games against the Raptors (Jan. 6, 2021 – Jan.11, 2022) for the first time since Nov. 29, 2009 – Mar. 3, 2011) … Phoenix’s 31-9 record to start the season is tied for the second-best start in franchise history through 40 games …The Suns will continue a five game road trip (Jan. 11-20) Friday in Indiana.
- Jae Crowder finished with a season high-tying 19 points (7-14 FG, 5-11 3PT) and added five rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes … Tonight marked just the second time Crowder has led the Suns in scoring this season.
- Chris Paul recorded 15 points, including a team-high 12 assists and five steals in 33 minutes … Paul has recorded 5+ steals five times this season, something he did not do during the 2020-21 season.
|2021-22 SEASON-SERIES||ALL-TIME RECORDS|
|DATE||SITE||RESULT||RAPTORS WINS||SUNS WINS|
GAME #38 – TORONTO RAPTORS (20-17) vs. PHOENIX SUNS (30-9)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA
TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
• The Toronto Raptors (20-17) finish a three-game homestand (Jan. 7-11) Tuesday night when they host the Phoenix Suns (30-9) at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto begins a five-game road trip (Jan. 14-21) Friday night in
Detroit. The Suns swept the season-series in 2020-21. Prior to last season, the Raptors had won six in a row against Phoenix. Toronto is three games above .500 for the first time since opening the season 6-3.
• The NBA announced Monday that Fred VanVleet has been named as Eastern Conference Player of the Week (Jan. 3-9) for the first time in his career. VanVleet led the Raptors to a perfect 4-0 record, averaging 30.3 points (sixth in the NBA), 6.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 36.5 minutes. He shot .467 (42-90) from the field, .453 (24-53) from three-point range and was 13-for-13 at the free throw line. VanVleet scored 30+ points three times and recorded his first career triple-double with a season-best 37 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Jan. 7 vs. Utah. His 37 points was the most scored in a triple-double in franchise history.
• The Raptors extended their winning streak to a season-high six games (Dec. 31 – Jan. 9) with a 105-101 win over New Orleans on Sunday. Fred VanVleet scored 32 points and Pascal Siakam had 29 points and
10 rebounds in the victory. The Raptors have now won five straight and 10 of their last 12 at home. Over the last six games, VanVleet and Siakam are averaging 31.2 and 23.7 points, respectively. VanVleet has
scored 30+ in five of the last six, while Siakam has recorded four double-doubles. The last time Toronto won seven in a row was March 3 – Aug. 5, 2020.
• Toronto outrebounded New Orleans 15-7 on the offensive glass Sunday night, leading to a 24-6 advantage in second-chance points for the Raptors. During the team’s six-game win streak, Toronto has outrebounded opponents 89-to-50 on the offensive end and hold a +30 turnover differential (73-to-103). The Raptors currently rank second in the NBA in both offensive rebounds (13.1) and second-chance points (16.8).
• Fred VanVleet has made at least four three-pointers in a franchise record eight consecutive games (Dec. 14 – Jan 9) – tied with Stephen Curry for the longest streak in the NBA this season. VanVleet is averaging 30.6 points and shooting .456 (47-103) from beyond the arc over the last eight games.
• Fred VanVleet (136) and Gary Trent Jr. (116) currently rank second and fourth, respectively, in the NBA in total deflections. VanVleet has led the NBA in deflections per game each of the past two seasons, while Trent Jr. also ranks fourth in the league in steals per game (1.91) and has recorded multiple steals in 20 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (18.9) and rank third in steals (9.2).
F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 35.8 REB: 5.2 AST: 2.4 STL: 1.6 TO: 1.5 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.0
• Finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes of action Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• The Raptors are 6-0 since Anunoby and VanVleet returned to the lineup Dec. 31 vs. the LA Clippers.
• Has scored in double figures in six straight games, averaging 18.3 points during this stretch.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 35.6 REB: 8.4 AST: 4.5 STL: 0.9 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 20.6
• Recorded 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 43 minutes Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• Has recorded 5+ assists in a career-high seven straight games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 9); averaging 6.4 assists.
• Leads the team with eight double-doubles this season despite missing 13 games.
C – KHEM BIRCH #24
MIN: 21.6 REB: 5.3 AST: 1.2 STL: 0.9 TO: 0.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 6.0
• Contributed six points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 21 minutes Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• Has missed 14 games (Nov. 7-11, Nov. 24 – Dec. 18) this season with right knee swelling.
• Averaging 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 21.9 minutes in five games as a starter.
G – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.5 REB: 8.0 AST: 3.5 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 14.7
• Tallied seven points, four rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes of action Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans.
• Ranks second among rookies in rebounds (8.0), fourth in assists (3.5) and fifth in scoring (14.7).
• Averaging 9.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists through five games in January.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 37.5 REB: 5.0 AST: 6.7 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 22.0
• Scored a game-high 32 points Jan. 9 vs. New Orleans; added four rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes.
• The Raptors improved to 15-3, including 7-1 this season, when he scores 30 or more points.
• Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.5), has logged 40+ minutes seven times.
Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out
Scottie Barnes (Right Knee; Soreness) – Questionable
Gary Trent Jr. (Left Ankle; Swelling) – Questionable
W-L EAST WEST
OVERALL 20-17 12-11 8-6
HOME 12-10 6-7 6-3
AWAY 8-7 6-4 2-3
OVERTIME 0-1 0-1 0-0
NEXT GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Date: Friday, January 14
Tip-Off: 7 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Little Caesars Arena
Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. DETROIT
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2021-22 0-1 0-1 0-0
ALL-TIME 38-58 19-27 19-31
STREAKS Lost 4 Lost 2 Lost 2
LAST WIN: Jan. 31, 2020 (105-92)
LAST ROAD WIN: Jan. 31, 2020 (105-92)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +30 (Dec 23, 2009)
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -44 (Jan. 4, 1997)
LAST TIME VS. DETROIT
GAME 14 – NOVEMBER 13, 2021
DETROIT 127, TORONTO 121
TORONTO — Jerami Grant scored 24 points, including two key three-pointers in the fourth quarter, and Detroit beat Toronto 127-121, handing
the Raptors their fourth loss in five games … Isaiah Stewart added 20 for
the Pistons, who’ve beaten Toronto in their last four meetings … Pascal
Siakam had 25 points and 12 rebounds in his third game back since missing the beginning of the season recovering from shoulder surgery … Gary
Trent Jr. had 23 points while OG Anunoby had 17 … Goran Dragic added
16, Dalano Banton finished with 12 and Scottie Barnes had 11 … Neither
team led by double digits through the first three quarters of the back-and-forth affair … Toronto took a 95-93 lead into the fourth … But the Raptors
fizzled in the fourth quarter, as Detroit hit five consecutive three-pointers –
two by Grant – that put the Pistons up 117-106 … The Raptors scored five
straight points to pull to within six … Siakam converted a three-point play
with 2:04 to play to slice the difference to just three … But Cade Cunningham shimmied to the hoop to make it a five-point game heading into the
final minute … The Raptors missed four shots on their next possession,
which all but ensured the loss … The Raptors were missing starting guard
Fred VanVleet (groin strain) and Precious Achiuwa (sore shoulder).
1 2 3 4 TOT
DETROIT 31 34 28 34 127
TORONTO 34 30 31 26 121
Regular Season Game #40 | Road Game #18
Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, Canada
January 11, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. (Phoenix time)
RADIO: ESPN Phoenix 620 AM/KSUN-La Mejor | TV: Bally Sports Arizona
QUICKLY: With a win tonight, the Suns would move to 31-9 on the season in what would tie as the team’s best start in franchise history through the first 40 games of a season (31-8 start in three different seasons) … With a win tonight, the Suns would move to 16-9 all-time against the Raptors on the road, which would match their all-time home record against Toronto … Cam Johnson
extended his career-long streak to 19-straight games of scoring 10+ points Saturday and has made 2+ 3FG in 22-straight games, the longest streak in the NBA this season and the longest in franchise history … After shooting 13-for-13 from the charity stripe on Saturday, Devin Booker moved into sole
possession of third place on the Suns’ all-time free throw percentage list at 87.1 percent, sitting just ahead of Eddie Johnson (87.0 FT%) and trails only Steve Nash (90.7 FT%) and Kyle Macy (88.4 FT%).
LAST GAME’S STARTERS (2021-22 record when starting this lineup: 15-5)
F 25 MIKAL BRIDGES6-6 209
LAST GAME: Tallied 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting (4-of-7 3FG) and 6 rebounds vs. MIA
SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 2 games vs. TOR last season
- In 2020-21, posted 1 of just 4 seasons in NBA history shooting at least 54 FG% and 42 3P%
- … Only NBA player to not miss a game for any reason past 3 seasons entering 21-22
F 99 JAE CROWDER 6-6 235
LAST GAME: Returned to the court to score 3 points and grab 5 rebounds vs. MIA
SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 3FG and 4.0 rebounds in 2 games vs. TOR
- Has scored 10+ points in a career-long 18-straight games and has made 2+ three-pointers
in 21-straight games, the most in the NBA this season and a franchise record
C 22 DEANDRE AYTON 6-11 250
LAST GAME: Notched 12 points, 8 rebounds and a block vs. MIA on Saturday
SEASON VS. TOR: In 2 games vs. TOR last season, averaged 15.0 pts on 70 FG% & 12.5 rebs
- Shot 65.8 FG% during 2021 Playoffs, the best FG% (min. 100 FGM) by a player in a single
postseason in NBA history (prev. 62.2% by James Worthy in 1985)
G 1 DEVIN BOOKER 6-5 206
LAST GAME: Scored a team-high 26 points (13-for-13 FT) to go with 4 rebounds and 2 steals
SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 20.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 2 games vs. TOR last season
- Having notched 2,000 career assists earlier in the season, Booker became the seventh youngest player in NBA history to 10,000 career points on 12/29/21 vs. OKC
G 3 CHRIS PAUL 6-1 175
LAST GAME: Totaled 9 points and a team-high 7 assists Saturday against Miami
SEASON VS. TOR: Averaged 15.5 points, 8.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 2 games
- Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team, joined by Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash
and Shaquille O’Neal as Suns players all-time selected to the team
Justin Jackson is not with team
Cam Johnson (left ankle sprain) is out
Frank Kaminsky (right knee stress reaction) is out; missed last 26 games
Abdel Nader (right knee injury management is out); missed last 24 games
Dario Šarić (right ACL rehab) is out; tore ACL in Game 1 of 2021 NBA Finals
Landry Shamet (return to competition reconditioning) is probable; missed last 3 games
Ish Wainright is in Health & Safety Protocols
- DEVIN BOOKER scored a team-high 26 points Saturday against the Heat to go along with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals (matches
season high, which he’s now done 10 times). Booker shot a perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line, just the fifth time in his career
he’s shot 100 percent from the charity stripe with a minimum of 13 free throw attempts.
- After shooting 13-for-13 from the charity stripe on Saturday, DEVIN BOOKER moved into sole possession of third place on the Suns’
all-time free throw percentage list at 87.1 percent. Booker currently sits just ahead of Eddie Johnson (87.0 FT%) and trails only Steve
Nash (90.7 FT%) and Kyle Macy (88.4 FT%).
- CAM JOHNSON totaled 15 points Saturday to go along with 5 rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench. Johnson extended his careerlong streak to 19-straight games scoring 10+ points tonight. Additionally, with his second three, it marked his 22nd consecutive
game with at least two three-point field goals, which is the longest streak in the NBA this season and a franchise record. After
averaging 8.5 points on 40.5 FG% (38.7 3FG%) and 1.8 three-point field goals through the first 20 games of the season, Johnson is
averaging 15.6 points on 49.8 FG% (47.4 3FG%) and 3.3 three-pointers over the last 19.
- After missing the last six games, DEANDRE AYTON returned to the starting lineup tonight, adding 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting and a team-high 8 rebounds, the 20th time this season he’s led the Suns in rebounding.
- With the loss Saturday, the Suns moved to 30-9 on the season, the team’s second-best start to a season through the first 39 games in franchise history trailing only the 2006-07, 2004-05, 1994-95, 1992-93 and 1980-81 seasons Suns, who all opened up the season 31-8.
- The Suns won 18 consecutive games after starting the season 1-3 this season, the team’s longest winning streak in franchise history.