Game ID: 22400573
Phoenix Suns @ Washington Wizards
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
WAS 21 34 28 40 123PHX 34 35 35 26 130
PHX @ WAS ScoutingPHX @ WAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
WAS availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Poole missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 3 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 1/07 after 2, 30 min since (91% of 33)
BACK Kuzma back 12/30 after 12, 24 min since (86% of 28)
BACK Holmes back 1/07 after 6, 3 min since (17% of 17)
BACK Butler back 12/30 after 2, 10 min since (87% of 11)
WAS availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Poole missed 3 since 1/05, returns tonight: 24 min (82% of 29)
OUT Brogdon missed 2 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 4 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 1/07 after 2, 30 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Holmes back 1/07 after 6, 15 min since (86% of 17)
WAS availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Brogdon missed 3 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 5 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 1/07 after 2, 30 min since (91% of 33)
BACK Poole back 1/10 after 3, 24 min since (82% of 29)
BACK Holmes back 1/07 after 6, 12 min since (69% of 17)
NEW Butler 11 to 17 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 1/13 · back-to-backOUT Brogdon missed 4 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 6 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 1/07 after 2, 30 min since (90% of 33)
BACK Poole back 1/10 after 3, 24 min since (80% of 29)
BACK Holmes back 1/07 after 6, 12 min since (69% of 17)
NEW Butler 11 to 18 min over the last 5
WAS availability going into 1/16 · 2 days' restOUT Brogdon missed 5 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 2 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 7 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Coulibaly back 1/07 after 2, 31 min since (93% of 33)
BACK Poole back 1/10 after 3, 27 min since (91% of 29)
WAS availability going into 1/18 · 1 day's restOUT Brogdon missed 6 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 3 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 8 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Poole back 1/10 after 3, 27 min since (91% of 29)
WAS availability going into 1/19 · back-to-backOUT Brogdon missed 7 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 4 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Vukcevic missed 9 since 1/03, returns tonight: 3 min (23% of 15)
BACK Poole back 1/10 after 3, 29 min since (97% of 29)
WAS availability going into 1/21 · 1 day's restOUT Brogdon missed 8 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 5 since 1/12, out tonight
BACK Vukcevic back 1/19 after 9, 3 min since (23% of 15)
WAS availability going into 1/23 · 1 day's restOUT Brogdon missed 9 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Holmes missed 6 since 1/12, out tonight
BACK Vukcevic back 1/19 after 9, 2 min since (17% of 15)
PHX availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT O'Neale missed 4 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 32 since 10/28, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 2 since 1/06, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/31 after 5, 36 min since (96% of 37)
BACK Allen back 1/04 after 5, 23 min since (97% of 24)
BACK Nurkić back 1/06 after 3, 17 min since (70% of 24)
NEW Dunn 19 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Morris 13 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT O'Neale missed 5 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 33 since 10/28, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 3 since 1/06, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/31 after 5, 37 min since (98% of 37)
BACK Allen back 1/04 after 5, 24 min since (101% of 24)
BACK Nurkić back 1/06 after 3, 17 min since (70% of 24)
NEW Dunn 19 to 27 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/12 · back-to-backOUT O'Neale missed 6 since 12/31, returns tonight: 22 min (88% of 24)
OUT Nurkić missed 2 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 34 since 10/28, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 4 since 1/06, out tonight
BACK Allen back 1/04 after 5, 26 min since (106% of 24)
NEW Dunn 19 to 24 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Nurkić missed 3 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 35 since 10/28, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 5 since 1/06, out tonight
BACK O'Neale back 1/12 after 6, 22 min since (88% of 24)
PHX availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restOUT Nurkić missed 4 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 36 since 10/28, out tonight
OUT Okogie missed 2 since 1/12, not on tonight's roster
OUT Morris missed 2 since 1/12, returns tonight: 15 min (120% of 13)
OUT Bol missed 6 since 1/06, returns tonight: 4 min (36% of 12)
BACK O'Neale back 1/12 after 6, 19 min since (78% of 24)
PHX availability going into 1/18 · 1 day's restOUT Nurkić missed 5 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 37 since 10/28, out tonight
BACK O'Neale back 1/12 after 6, 20 min since (81% of 24)
BACK Morris back 1/16 after 2, 15 min since (120% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/16 after 6, 4 min since (36% of 12)
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 24 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/20 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 2 since 1/16, returns tonight: 25 min (77% of 32)
OUT Nurkić missed 6 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 38 since 10/28, out tonight
BACK O'Neale back 1/12 after 6, 19 min since (77% of 24)
BACK Morris back 1/16 after 2, 11 min since (86% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/16 after 6, 4 min since (36% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 26 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/22 · 1 day's restOUT Nurkić missed 7 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Gillespie missed 39 since 10/28, returns tonight: 3 min (21% of 14)
BACK Beal back 1/20 after 2, 25 min since (77% of 32)
BACK O'Neale back 1/12 after 6, 20 min since (80% of 24)
BACK Morris back 1/16 after 2, 10 min since (77% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/16 after 6, 6 min since (48% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 26 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/25 · 2 days' restOUT Nurkić missed 8 since 1/09, out tonight
BACK Beal back 1/20 after 2, 25 min since (77% of 32)
BACK Gillespie back 1/22 after 39, 3 min since (21% of 14)
BACK Morris back 1/16 after 2, 12 min since (94% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/16 after 6, 6 min since (44% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 128, shooting 42 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Poole at 18 and Butler at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Brogdon (5 straight), Holmes (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Booker at 32 and Durant at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Nurkić (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 114 a night to Washington's 128. Call it Phoenix 119, Washington 111.
1/08 @ PHI 103-109 — WAS notes
WAS lost 103-109. WAS shot 45% (42 of 94) to PHI's 45%, 13 of 30 from three, and got to the line just 9 times against 18 fouls committed. WAS turned it over 17 times to PHI's 7, and PHI turned those into 8 steals. The glass went 51-36 for them. Butler led with 26 (11 of 19, 3 of 3 from three); Kispert added 23, Kuzma 16. Q4 was theirs, 29-21, the deficit cut from 14 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 88-74 against them. Kuzma's -22 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/10 @ CHI 105-138 — WAS notes
WAS lost 105-138. WAS shot 40% (39 of 98) to CHI's 56%, 18 of 46 from three. The glass went 45-55 against them. Poole led with 22 (7 of 13, 6 of 9 from three); Butler added 18, George 12. Q2 was theirs, 32-32, but the other 3 periods went 106-73 against them. Coulibaly's -29 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/12 vs OKC 95-136 — WAS notes
WAS lost 95-136. WAS shot 34% (28 of 83) to OKC's 47%, 9 of 46 from three. The glass went 39-56 against them. Kispert led with 17 (6 of 9, 3 of 5 from three); Poole added 13, Valančiūnas 11. Q4 was theirs, 26-32, but the other 3 periods went 104-69 against them. Carrington's -41 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/13 vs MIN 106-120 — WAS notes
WAS lost 106-120. WAS took 8 more shots (91 to 83), but shot 44% to MIN's 49%, 17 of 40 from three, and got to the line 15 times to MIN's 31. WAS turned it over 11 times to MIN's 18. The glass went 34-53 against them. Kuzma led with 22 (9 of 21, 3 of 8 from three); Poole added 20, Coulibaly 15. Q2 was theirs, 27-26, the deficit cut from 5 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 94-79 against them. Coulibaly's -18 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/16 vs PHX 123-130 — WAS notes
WAS lost 123-130. WAS shot 50% (46 of 92) to PHX's 52%, 13 of 41 from three. George led with 24 (8 of 10, 6 of 8 from three); Poole added 18, Sarr 16. Q4 was theirs, 40-26, the deficit cut from 21 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 104-83 against them. Poole's -23 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/18 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 109, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 15 free throws a game; Curry at 26 and Wiggins at 18 a game. Without Green (3 straight), Podziemski (9 straight), Kuminga (6 straight). 2 days' rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 127, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Poole at 18 and Butler at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Brogdon (6 straight), Holmes (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 109 a night to Washington's 127 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-3 a night and Washington minus-7. Call it Golden State 117, Washington 108.
1/19 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 27 and Monk at 22 a game. 2 days' rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 129, shooting 42 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Poole at 22 and George at 12 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Brogdon (7 straight), Holmes (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-4 a night and Washington minus-12 and the defense, Sacramento allowing 118 a night to Washington's 129. Call it Sacramento 125, Washington 110, Sacramento by 15.
1/21 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; James at 22 and Davis at 22 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Reddish (3 straight), Vanderbilt (34 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 126, shooting 42 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Poole at 20 and Kuzma at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Brogdon (8 straight), Holmes (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 114 a night to Washington's 126 and the line, where Washington takes 26 free throws a game to the Lakers' 18. Call it the Lakers 117, Washington 110.
1/23 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 97, shooting 51 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Powell at 22 and Harden at 20 a game. Without Zubac (2 straight), Leonard (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 121, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Poole at 20 and Kuzma at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Brogdon (9 straight), Holmes (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 97 a night to Washington's 121 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-4 a night and Washington minus-8. Call it the Clippers 117, Washington 105, the Clippers by 12.
1/09 vs ATL 123-115 — PHX notes
PHX won 123-115. PHX shot 58% (49 of 85) to ATL's 49%, 13 of 33 from three. PHX turned it over 16 times to ATL's 11, and ATL turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 42-32 for them. Beal led with 25 (11 of 16, 2 of 5 from three); Durant added 23, Allen 23. The hinge was Q3, 30-20: PHX came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 6, and the lead reached 15. PHX trailed 68-72 at the half and won the second half 55-43. Dunn was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
1/11 vs UTA 114-106 — PHX notes
PHX won 114-106. PHX shot 51% (44 of 86) to UTA's 44%, 13 of 37 from three. The glass went 38-50 against them. Booker led with 34 (12 of 20, 6 of 12 from three); Durant added 25, Allen 14. The hinge was Q2, 34-27: a lead of 4 became 11, and the lead reached 16. Plumlee was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
1/12 vs CHA 120-113 — PHX notes
PHX won 120-113. PHX shot 48% (42 of 87) to CHA's 45%, 17 of 41 from three. The glass went 39-52 against them. Booker led with 30 (10 of 20, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Durant added 27, Beal 15. The hinge was Q4, 27-15: PHX came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 7. O'Neale was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
1/14 @ ATL 117-122 — PHX notes
PHX lost 117-122. PHX shot 51% (43 of 84) to ATL's 44%, 13 of 35 from three. The glass went 37-54 against them. Booker led with 35 (12 of 23, 7 of 14 from three); Durant added 31, Dunn 14. Q3 was theirs, 31-25, the deficit cut from 8 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 97-86 against them. O'Neale's -22 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/16 @ WAS 130-123 — PHX notes
PHX won 130-123. PHX shot 52% (44 of 85) to WAS's 50%, 16 of 33 from three. Booker led with 37 (10 of 24, 4 of 9 from three, 13 of 15 at the line); Durant added 23, Allen 21. The hinge was Q1, 34-21: from level to 13 ahead, and the lead reached 24. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
1/18 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 18 free throws a game; Cunningham at 25 and Hardaway Jr. at 18 a game. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 116, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 31 and Durant at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Nurkić (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-2 a night and Phoenix minus-6 and the line, where Phoenix takes 23 free throws a game to Detroit's 18. Call it Detroit 115, Phoenix 113, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/20 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Garland at 27 and Mitchell at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 28 free throws a game; Booker at 34 and Durant at 28 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Beal (2 straight), Nurkić (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-5 a night and Phoenix minus-7 and the arc, Phoenix at 39 percent from three to Cleveland's 34. Call it Cleveland 119, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/22 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 114, shooting 42 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 18 and Russell at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Thomas (10 straight), Simmons (2 straight), Watford (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Booker at 30 and Durant at 28 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nurkić (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-3 a night and Phoenix minus-7 and the line, where Phoenix takes 27 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 19. Call it Phoenix 114, Brooklyn 110, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/25 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 31 and Durant at 27 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Nurkić (8 straight). 2 days' rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 119, shooting 40 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Poole at 21 and Coulibaly at 12 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Brogdon (10 straight), Holmes (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 38 percent from three to Washington's 31. Call it Phoenix 118, Washington 109.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXBB B. Bol
DB D. Booker
GA G. Allen
KD K. Durant
MM M. Morris
MP M. Plumlee
OI O. Ighodaro
RD R. Dunn
RO R. O'Neale
TJ T. Jones
WASAS A. Sarr
BC B. Carrington
BC B. Coulibaly
CK C. Kispert
JB J. Butler
JC J. Champagnie
JP J. Poole
JV J. Valančiūnas
KG K. George
KK K. Kuzma
PHX/WAS the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
WASHINGTON -- — Devin Booker scored 37 points, Kevin Durant added 23 and the Phoenix Suns weathered a late rally in a 130-123 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.
Booker had his third-consecutive 30-plus game to help Phoenix survive after Washington cut a 24-point deficit to three late in the fourth quarter.
Rookie Ryan Dunn added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Grayson Allen had 21 points for the Suns. They improved to 1-1 on their five-game trip.
Tyus Jones had nine points and 10 assists as the Suns won their fifth out of seven overall.
Rookie Keyshawn George scored a career-high 24 points for the Wizards. They lost their eighth straight but snapped a stretch of double-digit defeats at three.
Jordan Poole added 18 points, and Alex Sarr had 16 points and nine rebounds.
Takeaways Suns: Moved back to .500 (20-20) but continued to show an inability to put teams away. Only one of Phoenix's 20 wins has been by more than 10 points, and this one despite storming to early leads of 7-0 and 18-3.
Wizards: George was excellent over 31 minutes, finishing 8 of 10 from the floor and 6 of 8 from 3-point range.
Key stat Phoenix shot 47.1% from 3-point range (16 of 34), while the Wizards were only at 31.7% (13 of 41).
Key moment After the Wizards moved to 120-117 following a 12-0 run late in the fourth quarter, Booker coolly sank a baseline 3-pointer off Jones' feed with 45 seconds remaining that restored Phoenix's two-possession lead for good.
Up next On Saturday, the Suns continues their trip at Detroit, while Washington is at Golden State.