Stephen Curry hit a three-pointer with 0.7 seconds left as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Phoenix Suns 113-112 on Saturday night, their sixth win in seven games. With 3.3 seconds remaining and the Warriors trailing 112-110, Curry received Brandin Podziemski’s inbounds pass, pivoted, and sank his ninth 3-pointer of the night from 33 feet out. He had thirty points.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 32 points, while Kevin Durant contributed 24. After Curry’s 3-pointer, the Suns had two chances, but Booker was fouled under the rim in the first, and Durant was unable to get a shot off in the second. Golden State avoided being swept by the Suns in the season series, returning to.500 for the first time since December 25. The Warriors are also back in the postseason race, moving ahead of idle Utah for the 10th position in the West before a game against the Jazz on Monday night.
In the crunch, the two teams alternated, with neither getting much separation. The Warriors lead 84-82 heading into the fourth quarter. With 35 seconds remaining, Booker hit a turnaround jumper to give the Suns a 112-110 lead.Jonathan Kuminga scored 21 points for Golden State. Draymond Green recorded 15 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Golden State led 47-40 in the second quarter until the Suns went on a 12-0 run, with Durant converting a three-point play. The Warriors responded with a surge from Kuminga, who led Golden State with 13 points at halftime, to take a 59-58 lead into the break.
Royce O’Neale, acquired at the trade deadline, made his Suns debut and scored three points. Phoenix’s other deadline acquisition, David Roddy, did not participate. Gary Payton, who had missed the previous 16 games due to a left hamstring ailment, returned for the Warriors. He had eleven points. Green, who had avoided technical fouls since returning from an indefinite suspension in January, received one while arguing for a foul call following a layup in the third quarter. Green also exchanged words and taunts with Suns center Jusuf Nurkic, who was smacked in the face by Green on December 12, resulting in Green’s ban.