The Phoenix Suns (30-36) host the Sacramento Kings (33-32) on Friday, airing on Arizona’s Family (Ch. 3 TV) at 7 p.m.
Phoenix is on a two-game skid, Sacramento has dropped its past three.
Led by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Western Conference’s 11th-place Suns are looking to keep their play-in tournament hopes alive. They were 2 1/2 games behind the No. 10 Mavericks entering Friday’s games and have 16 games left. The Kings, with top players DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, are No. 9 in the West standings.
Check live updates of scores, highlights and statistics during the Suns-Kings games.
Durant, Suns get huge lift from bench in 1st quarter
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker scored nine and seven points, respectively, as Phoenix ended the opening period with a 36-22 lead.
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The Suns’ reserves came in and drove a 20-2 run to take a 19-point lead. The Phoenix bench outscored the Kings’ bench 15-4, led by Tyus Jones’ six (two 3s) and rookie backup big Oso Ighodaro’s four points from two dunks. That includes one two-handed bang over Domantas Sabonis (four points).
Keegan Murray leads the Kings with seven points.
Starting lineups
The Suns are starting their Big 3 of Durant, Booker and Beal alongside rookie swingman Ryan Dunn and center Mason Plumlee.
The Kings are opening with LaVine and Malik Monk in the backcourt, forwards DeRozan and Keegan Murray, and Sabonis.
Suns’ Allen, Richards out, Kings’ Sabonis returns
Phoenix’s Grayson Allen (left foot) and Nick Richards (right ankle) have been downgraded from doubtful to out. Monte Morris (low back) has been ruled out. Cody Martin (sports hernia) has been upgraded from questionable to available for his Suns debut. Martin was dealt to Phoenix with Vasa Micić from Charlotte for Jusuf Nurkic at the trade deadline in February.
Sacramento’s Sabonis (hamstring) has been upgraded from questionable to available after he missed the past six games. Former Suns starter Jae Crowder and big Trey Lyles are both out due to low back injuries.
