It’s early. Very early.
The Phoenix Suns still have a losing record and are not too far removed from a four-game losing skid, but they’ve put together impressive consecutive wins, with the latest one a stunner.
The Suns knocked off the previously unbeaten San Antonio Spurs, 130-118, to conclude a three-game homestand Sunday, Nov. 2, before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center. This comes two days after putting away the Utah Jazz, 118-96, Oct. 31 in their NBA Cup West Group A play opener. Utah beat Phoenix last week in Salt Lake City in overtime.
“It’s something we talked about before the game, stringing (wins) together,†Suns star guard Devin Booker said. “Understanding that it can turn over at any time, even after we had lost three or four straight (games). Just sticking with it. We have the right locker room, the right mentality, even after our losses, where you know it’s a place that you want to come in and continue to compete and get better.â€
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Booker delivered a double-double of 28 points and 13 assists to lead seven Suns in double figures in defeating early MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama and the surprising Spurs. San Antonio (5-1) began the season 5-0, their best start in franchise history, but Phoenix led by as many as 31 points in handing them their first loss.
Here are takeaways from Sunday’s game as the Suns (3-4) look for their first road win Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. against the Golden State Warriors (4-3), losers of their last two games.
The answer to Wembanyama
Wembanyama has been the league’s best player early this season, but the Suns successfully executed their defensive game plan for him. He scored just two points in the first half as his first basket, a dunk, came with 65 seconds left in the second quarter. He managed a season-low nine points on 4-of-14 shooting.
He came into the game averaging 30.2.
The Suns allowed minimal deep touches, used physicality to keep him off his desired spot and doubled Wembanyama just enough to make him give up the ball.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, second from left, battle for the ball during the first half on Sunday in Phoenix.
Royce O’Neale took on the initial challenge. Jordan Goodwin manned up against him, and the Suns were solid overall on switches.
A visibly frustrated Wembanyama never really found a rhythm and wound up with a season-high six turnovers.
The Spurs didn’t make the Suns pay for their extra attention on Wembanyama. They came into the game 10th in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 38%.
Different story versus Suns.
San Antonio shot 10-of-41 on 3s. The Suns played a role in that with solid rotations and closeouts.
Suns cooked from 3
The Suns made six of their first eight shots from deep in building an early double-digit lead. That set the tone just as much as how they were defending Wembanyama.
The Suns splashed 19-of-33 from deep. That’s fewer attempts and more made 3s than their average coming into the game. Phoenix was 16th in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 35%. Through six games, they averaged 45.7 attempts and 16 made 3s.
Sometimes less can lead to more.
Six players hit multiple 3s, with Grayson Allen leading the barrage with a 5-of-9 effort beyond the arc.
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) drives for a dunk as San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) watches during the first half on Sunday.Â
Generating 34 assists, the Suns got good looks, but they hit some deep into the shot clock after ball movement, player movement.
O’Neale, Collin Gillespie and Ryan Dunn each made a trio of 3s while Booker went 2-of-2.
Yes, Dunn shot 3-of-4. This is after missing his first six 3s on a 1-of-7 distance effort in Friday’s win over Utah. He came into the game just 5-of-21, but said after the Utah win he can shoot. The numbers say otherwise, but he had the touch against the Spurs with his last 3, giving Phoenix a 116-97 lead with 5:06 left.
Dunn blew a kiss in front of the Spurs bench. San Antonio called timeout. Pretty much ball game.
Booker educates Castle
Stephon Castle received an education on Sunday. Booker had it going against him.
Castle’s answer was to press up even more, apply physical pressure.
Not a good idea young fella. Booker has faced it all. He’s beaten physicality with savvy and experience.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, looks to pass the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) defends during the first half of a game.
Did it again on Castle with an additional smile and chatter.
Booker enjoys the competition, respects Castle’s mentality, but he used that aggressiveness against the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year. Castle picked up three straight fouls on one possession in the fourth quarter, with Booker drawing the last two on him.
The young man can ball. Castle scored a team-high 26 points to go with seven rebounds and five assists.
Castle just got so caught up in pressuring Booker that it became easier for Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer.
What happens when Green and Brooks return?
The Suns showed defensive growth during this three-game homestand.
They’ve established an offensive rhythm, leaned into a double-big lineup of Oso Ighodaro and Nick Richards, and are playing a defensive bulldog, guard Jordan Goodwin.
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin celebrates after a 3-point basket during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs on Nov 2.
Booker is in a groove, shooting 23-of-38 from the field overall, 8-of-11 on 3s, in his last two games. He has posted two double-doubles in his last four games, showing once again the scorer can facilitate, too.
So how will Ott incorporate Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks when they’re ready to go?
Green appears closer to making his Suns debut than Brooks is to returning. Green has been out with a right hamstring strain. Brooks is recovering from a core muscle strain. Green participated in live 5-on-5 on back-to-back days this weekend.
Allen has been starting in Green’s place. The rotation will change when Green is ready. Ott has been essentially using 10 players in the rotation.
Everyone has been waiting to see the chemistry between Green and Booker. Will the Suns be even better on offense, or will they struggle to incorporate Green?
Green will surely be on a minute restriction, but Ott will also take into account how well guard Collin Gillespie and Allen have been playing.
Goodwin brings a defensive presence. Does Ott take him out of the rotation when Green returns?
Brooks has missed Phoenix’s last four games after averaging 19.3 points in its first three. He was once leading the Suns in field goal attempts overall and 3-point attempts, but is shooting just 37.3% from 3 overall, going 9-of-21 from distance.
Brooks may have been launching at a high rate to make up for Green’s absence. He may not feel the need to create as much and be more of a catch-and-shoot guy from 3.
Decisions are incoming for the first-year head coach.

