Thunder Hand Suns One of Worst Losses of Season

Date: 04 April 2022 - 21:41

News ID: ۱۰۱۲۳۷

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Aleksej Pokusevski had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for his first career triple-double as the lowly Oklahoma City Thunder sent the NBA-best Phoenix Suns to one of their worst losses of the season, 117-96 on Sunday night.
The win tied for the largest margin of victory this season for the host Thunder and was just the Suns’ fourth loss of 20 or more points. Phoenix’s worst loss of the season came by 29 against Portland in October.
The Suns have lost back-to-back games for just the fourth time this season. Playing without Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton - both of whom were rested - the Suns didn’t have enough firepower to beat the team that has the fourth-worst record in the NBA.
Suns star Chris Paul played in his first game in Oklahoma City with fans present since the Thunder traded him to Phoenix before last season, and he was greeted by a loud ovation during introductions. He finished with 11 points and nine assists.
Nikola Jokic had 38 points and 18 rebounds, Will Barton scored 25 points, and visiting Denver beat Los Angeles, which was without LeBron James due to a sore ankle. The Lakers have lost six straight games.
Aaron Gordon had 24 points, DeMarcus Cousins scored 14 and Bones Hyland and Davon Reed added 10 apiece for the Nuggets. Denver moved into first place in the Northwest Division by a half-game over Utah and is currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference.