Suns Dominate Pacers with Stellar Performance from Booker

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a standout display on Thursday night, the Phoenix Suns overwhelmed the Indiana Pacers with a dominant 133-98 home victory. This win marked the Suns' fifth consecutive victory and kept their impressive home court record intact at 6-1 for the current season.

Devin Booker emerged as the standout performer, racking up 33 points, including an impressive 16 points in the third quarter alone, which allowed the Suns to establish a commanding lead early.

Dillon Brooks also demonstrated his scoring prowess, contributing 32 points; a remarkable 24 of those came in the first half as he helped Phoenix gain an early advantage. His energy set the tone, enabling the team to control the game's pace.

Rookie Oso Ighodaro enjoyed a breakout game, finishing with a career-high of 17 points, alongside seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Grayson Allen added 12 points to the tally but left the game in the second quarter due to an injury.

Allen, who leads the NBA in made three-pointers this season, suffered a right quad contusion after a collision, and his return to the game was not possible. His situation will be closely observed, as he plays a crucial role in the team's offensive strategies.

Meanwhile, the Pacers faced another difficult outing, with Andrew Nembhard leading their efforts with 21 points and eight assists, supported by Pascal Siakam's 19 points and five rebounds and Tony Bradley's 10 points.

The defeat deepened with Aaron Nesmith leaving the match due to knee soreness after stepping on a teammate's foot, having scored 10 points before exiting. The Pacers were already missing key players such as Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Bennedict Mathurin (toe), and Obi Toppin (foot), limiting their capacity to find consistent scoring and defensive coherence.

With six consecutive losses, the Pacers are facing severe challenges, especially with their previous three defeats being significant: 31, 24, and now 35 points. Injury woes and inadequate depth are increasingly concerning.

The Suns entered halftime leading 70-52 and took firm control late in the third period. They recorded an astounding 38-8 run that continued into the fourth quarter, including a stretch where they scored the first 20 points of the last period, reaching a 126-84 lead after a three-pointer by Jordan Goodwin.

Phoenix registered an impressive 57.6 percent shooting accuracy, making 13 of their 35 attempts from beyond the arc. Brooks shot 12-for-18, while Booker went 12-for-22, Ighodaro was 7-for-9, and Allen converted five of six attempts.

The Pacers struggled to manage an adequate 36.4 percent shooting from the field, hindered further by their injuries and inability to cope with the Suns' rapid pace and rigorous defense.

The confrontation also saw some tensions, with Brooks and T.J. McConnell receiving double technical fouls in the first quarter. Later on, Siakam and Royce O'Neale also faced double technicals following a heated exchange. Furthermore, Tony Bradley was assessed a flagrant foul for grabbing Brooks around the neck during a rebounding tussle.