National Basketball Association
Phoenix 116, Sacramento 100
When: 9:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 27, 2020
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Officials: #67 Brandon Adair, #6 Tony Brown, #3 Nick Buchert
Attendance: N/A

Mikal Bridges scored 22 points, Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds, and the visiting Phoenix Suns rode a big third quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 116-100 Sunday.

For the first two quarters and change, Sunday's second half of a weekend back-to-back series between the teams followed the trajectory of Saturday's game, which Sacramento won 106-103. The Kings held a narrow lead for most of the first half into the third quarter, but a 13-2 Suns run to close the period gave the visitors a fourth-quarter advantage they never relinquished.

Phoenix pushed the lead to as many as 23 down the stretch thanks to a balanced scoring attack. Cameron Johnson came off the bench to score 21 points, and Frank Kaminsky added 11 and Langston Galloway nine.

Ayton's 15 rebounds led all players. The third-year center also had four assists to complement Chris Paul's game-high 12. Paul finished two points shy of his second consecutive double-double.

Despite a slow start and a 1-of-6 shooting performance from behind the 3-point line, Devin Booker came on in the second half to finish with 20 points for the Suns, whose 116 points marked a season high. Sacramento's 100 were the fewest the Suns have allowed in three outings and the Kings' lowest output in three tries.

Sacramento, seeking its first 3-0 start since the 2002-03 season, shot 10-of-23 from 3-point range Sunday. But committing 15 turnovers to Phoenix's nine, and losing the battle for points in the paint 50-42, doomed the Kings.

Buddy Hield led Sacramento with 17 points, Tyrese Haliburton scored 15, and De'Aaron Fox finished with 12.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Phoenix   Sacramento
Mikal Bridges 22 Scoring Buddy Hield 17
Chris Paul 12 Assists Tyrese Haliburton 6
Deandre Ayton 15 Rebounds Richaun Holmes 11
Cameron Johnson 4 Free Throws Made De'Aaron Fox 4
Devin Booker 2 Steals Richaun Holmes 2
Devin Booker 1 Blocks Hassan Whiteside 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Phoenix 116 48.9 14-35 10-11 34 44 3 6 9
Sacramento 100 47.4 10-23 18-25 21 39 4 5 15
Upcoming Games
  • Sacramento will play their next game at home against Denver. The Kings have a W/L % of .500 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against New Orleans. The Suns have a W/L % of .000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.