National Basketball Association
Washington 127, Phoenix 102
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
Officials: #68 Jacyn Goble, #12 CJ Washington, #15 Zach Zarba
Attendance: 20476

Rui Hachimura matched a career high with 30 points off the bench to fuel the host Washington Wizards to a 127-102 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Hachimura made 11 of 13 shots from the floor and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for Wizards, who have won three in a row and four of their last five games. They began the latter streak with a 113-110 victory in Phoenix on Dec. 20.

Washington's Kristaps Porzingis collected 22 points and six rebounds and Kyle Kuzma added 22 points and seven assists. Daniel Gafford recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks while Monte Morris added 12 points, eight assists and six boards.

The Wizards shot a robust 57.3 percent from the floor (47-for-82) to help overcome the absence of star Bradley Beal, who sat out the contest with a left hamstring injury.

Deandre Ayton had a season-high 31 points along with seven rebounds, and Chris Paul added 20 points and seven assists for the Suns, who have lost four of their last five games.

Prior to the game, Phoenix confirmed that three-time All-Star Devin Booker will be sidelined at least four weeks with a left groin strain. Fellow guards Landry Shamet (Achilles) and Cameron Payne (foot) as well as forward Cameron Johnson (knee) also sat out on Wednesday for the Suns.

Phoenix trimmed a 19-point deficit down to one point after Mikal Bridges drained a 3-pointer with 2:36 remaining in the third quarter. Hachimura answered by converting a three-point play and adding six quick points in the fourth quarter as Washington scored 18 of the next 22 points in the game to secure a 101-86 lead.

The Suns closed the deficit to 11 points with 5:14 remaining in the fourth quarter before Porzingis sank a 3-pointer and three straight free throws to essentially seal the win.

Kuzma scored nine quick points to stake Washington to a 15-4 lead. He finished the first quarter with 13 points for the Wizards, who made 15 of their 24 shot attempts (62.5 percent) to claim a 36-21 advantage.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Phoenix   Washington
Deandre Ayton 31 Scoring Rui Hachimura 30
Chris Paul 6 Assists Monte Morris 8
Deandre Ayton 7 Rebounds Daniel Gafford 8
Damion Lee 3 Free Throws Made Rui Hachimura 7
Deandre Ayton 2 Steals Delon Wright 3
Chris Paul 2 Blocks Daniel Gafford 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Phoenix 102 44.8 13-31 11-16 25 30 4 7 11
Washington 127 57.3 8-26 25-28 27 46 6 7 13
Upcoming Games
  • Washington will play their next game on the road against Orlando. The Wizards have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .364 after a loss.
  • Phoenix will play their next game on the road against Toronto. The Suns have a W/L % of .550 after a win and .562 after a loss.