Suns Have Risen To Match Best Start, Mostly Via Some Serious Nail-Biters

November 7, 2024

The Phoenix Suns are making a habit of these nail-biting finishes, and while it’s giving fans plenty of stress, it’s also delivering victories.

Wednesday night’s 115-112 win over the Miami Heat pushed their winning streak to six games, and this one was another example of how the Suns have learned to thrive in crunch time.

Kevin Durant continues to defy age and expectations, finishing with 32 points in another MVP-worthy performance. His jumper over Haywood Highsmith with 16.8 seconds left gave Phoenix a four-point lead, sealing the win and giving them a 4-0 record in games decided by three points or less this season.

Durant’s shooting has been a big part of the Suns’ offense, and he’s been especially dangerous from deep. He knocked down a season-high 11 threes on Wednesday, hitting four of them, and forcing defenses to respect his space on the floor.

We’ve been in a lot of tight, close games,” Durant said, via Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Suns. “I’m sure Suns fans are on edge every game, but I think it’s good for our team that we can play these fourth-quarter games and get an understanding of what it’s like in crunch time.”

But it wasn’t just Durant. Devin Booker chipped in with 22 points, his shot finally coming back to life after struggling with his efficiency in recent games. He also dished out nine assists, and his clutch free throws with just under five seconds remaining gave Miami one final shot to force overtime. They couldn’t get a decent look off, though, as Phoenix’s defense held strong to secure the win.

Jusuf Nurkic also played a huge role, posting a double-double with 20 points and 18 rebounds. The big man hit 3-of-3 from deep, which was a surprise considering he came into the game just 4-of-19 on the season from 3-point range.

And Tyus Jones? His vision continues to make life easier for his teammates, finishing with nine assists and just one turnover. Ten of Durant’s 32 points came off passes from Jones, proving the chemistry is already clicking in Phoenix.

The Suns’ ability to generate open looks from deep continues to be a hallmark of their offense. They’ve shot the ball well from 3-point range all season (ranking ninth in makes and attempts), and on Wednesday, they surpassed those numbers by hitting 18 of 43 from beyond the arc.

That kind of shooting — and fast ball movement — has turned them into one of the most dangerous offensive units in the league under new coach Mike Budenholzer.

Phoenix is not just surviving close games — they’re learning how to win them. And with Durant leading the way, the Suns are looking like a serious championship contender early in the season. The question now is, can they keep up this level of play throughout the year? If they do, they could be a team no one wants to face come playoff time.