Phoenix Suns vs Washington Wizards Box Score on Nov 01, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Nov 1, 2017

WASHINGTON -- T.J. Warren had a career-high 40 points with 10 rebounds as the resurgent Phoenix Suns overcame a 22-point deficit for a 122-116 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.

Devin Booker scored 22 for the Suns (4-4), but none in the final 19 minutes. Phoenix didn't lack for offense thanks to Warren, who sank 16 of 22 shots from the field.

The Suns have won three of four games since firing coach Earl Watson on Oct. 22 after a 0-3 start and benching guard Eric Bledsoe.

Bradley Beal scored 40 points for the Wizards (4-3) and John Wall had 21 points.

Washington led 108-106 on Beal's 3-pointer, but Warren's three-point play put Phoenix up for good with 3:44 remaining.

Phoenix only scored 15 points in the first quarter but combined for 72 points in the second and third quarters. Down 90-87 entering the fourth quarter, they took their first lead at 92-90 on two Tyler Ulis free throws.

Despite the early turmoil, Phoenix rose up under interim coach Jay Triano. The Suns let a 17-point lead slip away Tuesday at Brooklyn before closing with a 24-8 run for a 122-114 win over the Nets.

The Wizards returned home after splitting a wild four-game Western Conference road trip that included several blown leads, a feisty matchup with the Golden State Warriors and 110-93 rout over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday that started with a 13-0 run.

Washington also started strong against Phoenix. Beal had 11 points in the first quarter and the Suns shot 5 of 22 from the field as the Wizards led 32-15.

The margin rose to 22, but the Suns pulled within 64-52 at halftime and 66-63 less than three minutes into the third quarter.

Washington also blew double-digit leads in its first two home games but held on to win.

The Wizards entered forcing a league-high 19 turnovers per game. The Suns committed only 10.

Booker scored 34 and 32 points during the first two games of the road trip. He has never scored 30 or more points in three consecutive games. Phoenix's leading scorer had 13 of 17 first-half points in the second quarter.

Mike Scott had 12 points for the Wizards, who shot 44.6 percent from the field. Scott's contribution was needed because of early foul trouble in the frontcourt and the absence of Otto Porter (illness). Washington's starting small forward is averaging 18.7 points and a league-high 2.7 steals.

NOTES: Wizards F Marikeff Morris, out since Sept. 22 after hernia surgery, will make his season debut Friday against the Cavaliers. Morris served a one-game suspension Wednesday for leaving the bench during Friday's tussle between G Bradley Beal and Warriors F Draymond Green. ... Phoenix hit 31 of 38 free throws. ... Foul trouble for Washington's starting frontcourt had F Kelly Oubre Jr. and F Jason Smith play only a combined 38 minutes. ... Phoenix returns to New York for Friday's meeting against the Knicks before concluding their five-game road swing Sunday at the San Antonio Spurs.