Kyrie Irving had 34 points (16 in the first quarter) and 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 128-119.
Kevin Durant’s jumper put the Nets ahead for good with 3:36 left in the third quarter.
Durant scored 33 points off the bench. The Nets had 2 30-point scorers. Irving assisted on 6 of Durant’s 12 baskets.
For the Suns, Devin Booker scored 36 points, and Jevon Carter went 1 for 7 from 3. Deandre Ayton had 20 points (18 in the paint) and 13 rebounds on 9 for 12 shooting. Torrey Craig had a season-high 20 points and 14 rebounds on 6 for 9 shooting off the bench. The Suns had 3 20-point scorers.
The Nets shot 52.9% from the field and 46.4% from 3 to the Suns’ 47.8% and 35.3%. They outscored the Suns 63-33 off the bench.