Suns hold off late charge by Westbrook to beat Thunder
McCoy honored as team posts back-to-back wins
During a period of youth evaluation, the Suns on Friday night relied on their veterans to hold off a charging Russell Westbrook.
Jared Dudley found Leandro Barbosa alone in the corner for a key 3pointer to help push the Suns to a 118111 win over Oklahoma City at sold-out Talking Stick Resort Arena.
On a night the Suns inducted longtime radio voice Al McCoy into the Ring of Honor, they didn’t disappoint, posting back-to-back wins for the first time since late January. The second unit again played a significant role, producing 55 points as the Suns improved to 20-42.
“That’s for you, Al,” Suns forward Alan Williams said to McCoy as the final seconds ticked.
The Suns led by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, but no lead is safe with Westbrook on the court.
The All-Star guard – on pace to become the second player in NBA history to average a triple double – stole a T.J. Warren pass and dunked to bring Oklahoma City within 110-105 in the final minute. With 11 seconds left, Alex Abrines nailed a 3 to pull the Thunder to within 115-111, but they didn’t get closer.
Westbrook finished with 48 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists. Twenty of his points came in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City – playing without second-leading scorer Victor Oladipo because of injury – dropped to 35-27.
Phoenix’s leading scorers – Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker – combined to shoot just 11 of 30, but they contributed in other ways. Bledsoe hit 10 of 13 from the foul line to finish with 18 points.
Booker had 17 points and seven rebounds.
Williams added 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Rookie point guard Tyler Ulis chipped in a season-high 14 points and seven assists. Barbosa had 14 points off the bench.
Midway through the third quarter, Bledsoe drew a foul while attempting a 3-pointer.
He hit two fouls shots to give the Suns their biggest lead, 87-63. Oklahoma City scored six in a row to pull within 77-69, but the Suns stopped the momentum. Warren hit a jumper to push the lead back to double digits. The Suns led 87-60 entering the fourth.
The Suns started Bledsoe on Westbrook. In the second quarter, coach Earl Watson shifted those duties to Derrick Jones Jr., and the rookie wing – 6-7 and 190 pounds – got under Westbrook’s skin. With 6:34 left until halftime, as he lined up to catch an in-bounds pass, Westbrook shoved Jones. Officials gave both technical fouls.
Twenty seconds later, Ulis fired a fast-break lob to Chriss and Talking Stick Resort Arena erupted. Ulis had 12 points and four assists in the first half. The Suns went into the locker room with a 58-55 lead, setting the stage for the McCoy ceremony.
McCoy, the voice of the Suns for 45 years, became the Ring of Honor’s 15th member. Previous inductees Charles Barkley, Walter Davis, Paul Westphal and Jerry Colangelo were on hand. In addition, the Suns played video tributes from Steve Nash, Dan Majerle and Jason Kidd, among others.