PHOENIX — A brief sense of normalcy, even with the Phoenix Suns eliminated from postseason contention, was nice for a night.
The result on the floor Friday matched the talent disparity between available players in a 117-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
It was a surprise to see Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and every available vet normally in the rotation holding their usual minute allotment. Phoenix has nothing to play for and there is an obvious benefit for sitting them as a preventative measure for injury. In addition, guys at the end of the bench could receive expanded opportunities they worked very hard for all year, something Booker himself brought up on Wednesday. But alas, there they were.
For Sunday, head coach Mike Budenholzer would not comment on if those guys would play again in the finale.
The legitimately injured players, Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) and Nick Richards (right elbow inflammation), remained out. San Antonio has been tanking to its own degree once Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox were ruled out for the rest of the season, with those two joining Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell in street clothes for this one.
Phoenix did not have much inspiring play early in this one but eventually found the right gear, taking a 53-47 lead at halftime and quickly getting up 20+ during a 39-17 Suns third quarter to lead by 28. San Antonio scored 31 points in the middle quarters.
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Phoenix Suns eliminated from NBA play-in contention
Ryan Dunn scored a career-high 26 points with 11 rebounds.
“Just trusting my shot, trusting my work,” Dunn said of the new personal best.
Beal provided 21 points and six assists while Booker added 18 points and five assists.
The only real thing to monitor in this one and for Sunday’s finale is where the Suns’ own first-round pick will land in the lottery odds. After Friday’s action wrapped up, the highest potential spot it could finish in is ninth, and another Suns win could move it all the way back to a tie for 11th. There is a major shift in odds for the probability of the Houston Rockets jumping to the top-4, or even getting the No. 1 overall selection, between those spots. Tankathon has you covered with those.
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