E’Twaun Moore scored 22 points and made a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds remaining that lifted the Phoenix Suns past the San Antonio Spurs 123-121 on Sunday and kept alive their chances at the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Playing without Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns were bailed out late by Moore, who also made a 3 with 1:08 remaining to stop a 9-0 run by San Antonio.
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E’Twaun Moore scored 22 points and made a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds remaining that lifted the Phoenix Suns past the San Antonio Spurs 123-121 on Sunday and kept alive their chances at the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Utah could secure the top seed in the West with a win over Sacramento on Sunday night, but the Suns would get the top seed if the Jazz lose because Phoenix swept the season series from Utah.
The Suns had eight players score in double figures, including 54 points from their reserves. Jevon Carter and Cameron Payne, who started in the backcourt, had 19 points each.
DeRozan, Poeltl, Dejounte Murray and Rudy Gay all returned after missing Saturday’s 140-103 loss to the Suns for rest.
Suns: At age 36, Paul played in all but two games in his 16th season. Before Sunday, his only other absence was Feb. 8 due to a sore right hamstring. ... Booker closed the season averaging 25.6 points per game, marking the fifth consecutive year he has averaged 22-plus. Since averaging 13.1 points in his rookie season, Booker has averaged 25.1 points. ... Ayton missed the final three games of the season after playing in every contest prior. He averaged 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds compared to 18.2 points and 11.5 rebounds last season, but played in 31 more games this season.
Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (22) and guard Devin Vassell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Keita Bates-Diop tipped in a missed free throw by Tre Jones to put San Antonio ahead 121-120 with 10 seconds left, setting up Moore's winning 26-footer.
Phoenix Suns guard E'Twaun Moore (55) celebrates with teammates after his winning score against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Utah could secure the top seed in the West with a win over Sacramento on Sunday night, but the Suns would get the top seed if the Jazz lose because Phoenix swept the season series from Utah.
The Suns rested their All-Star backcourt of Booker and Paul for in the final regular-season game for both teams. Phoenix was also without starting center Deandre Ayton, who missed his third straight game with a sore left knee.
Phoenix still closed the season by winning three straight and nine of 12.
Phoenix Suns forward Jalen Smith (10) hangs on the rim as he scores against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
The Suns had eight players score in double figures, including 54 points from their reserves. Jevon Carter and Cameron Payne, who started in the backcourt, had 19 points each.
San Antonio will play either Memphis or Golden State on Wednesday in the postseason play-in tournament. The Grizzlies and Warriors were playing Sunday with the winner earning the eighth seed and the loser falling to ninth and hosting the 10th-place Spurs.
DeMar DeRozan had 23 points to lead San Antonio, which closed the season by losing four straight and 10 of 12. Jakob Poeltl added 17 points and 10 rebounds and Bates-Diop had nine points in 12 minutes.
Phoenix Suns guard E'Twaun Moore (55) loses the ball to San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones, right, as he is tripped up during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
DeRozan, Poeltl, Dejounte Murray and Rudy Gay all returned after missing Saturday’s 140-103 loss to the Suns for rest.
Phoenix entered the second half trailing 61-52, but Carter had 13 points in the quarter, guiding the Suns to an 80-74 lead with 3:39 remaining in the third.
TIP-INS
San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray (5) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Suns: At age 36, Paul played in all but two games in his 16th season. Before Sunday, his only other absence was Feb. 8 due to a sore right hamstring. ... Booker closed the season averaging 25.6 points per game, marking the fifth consecutive year he has averaged 22-plus. Since averaging 13.1 points in his rookie season, Booker has averaged 25.1 points. ... Ayton missed the final three games of the season after playing in every contest prior. He averaged 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds compared to 18.2 points and 11.5 rebounds last season, but played in 31 more games this season.
Spurs: Patty Mills was rested after making his first start of the season Saturday. ... Lonnie Walker IV had nine points in 27 minutes after being listed as questionable with a sore left quadriceps. Walker and teammate Drew Eubanks collided in the first quarter on Saturday, but Walker returned to finish that game.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, rear, reaches over Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, center, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP PhotoEric Gay)
Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (22) and guard Devin Vassell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP PhotoEric Gay)