Devin Booker scores 31 in return from 5-game absence as Suns win

In Phoenix, the Suns are aiming for their three All-Stars to play together soon. But on Wednesday night, two All-Stars were more than enough as Devin Booker and Kevin Durant led the Suns to a 133-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending the Wolves’ seven-game winning streak.

Booker returned from a calf injury to score 31 points, while Durant also contributed 31 points. It was expected to be the first game of the season with all three Suns stars — Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal — playing together, but Beal was a late scratch due to a sore back.

Despite Beal’s absence, Booker and Durant proved to be a formidable duo, with Booker shooting 12-of-22 from the field and Durant making 11 of 15 shots.

Phoenix dominated the game, taking a commanding lead and shooting an impressive 60% from the field and 55% from 3-point range, despite facing one of the NBA’s best defenses.

Other key contributors for the Suns included Eric Gordon with 15 points, Grayson Allen with 14, and Drew Eubanks with 13, including a memorable dunk over Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Timberwolves, led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 25 points, struggled with their shooting, making only 18.5% of their 3-point attempts.

Despite playing the previous night in an emotional game against the Golden State Warriors, the Timberwolves could not contain the Suns, with coach Chris Finch acknowledging their defensive struggles.

Ultimately, the Suns’ dominant performance secured a 76-54 halftime lead and a comfortable victory.

As for the altercation between the Warriors and the Timberwolves, it was not an excuse for the Wolves’ lackluster performance, said Mike Conley, who added, “They played with much more force than we did, starting at the beginning.”