Durant To The SUNS For The First Time And Paul Threaded The Needle Off The Kings With 19 Assists

Kevin Durant was cheered by the crowd as he attended his first game in the SUNS 'home game against the Kings on Monday. Chris Paul had a season-high 19 assists and Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton had strong performances as the SUNS beat the Kings 120-to-109.

The Kings took a TWO-POINT LEAD IN THE FIRST PERIOD AND A 10-0 RUN IN THE SECOND. But Paul'S 11 FIRST-HALF ASSISTS AND AYTON'S 17 POINTS AND EIGHT REBOUNDS FROM MIDRANGE PLAY GAVE THE SUNS A 62-58 HALFTIME LEAD.

Paul added five assists and Booker added 10 points in the third quarter. The Kings relied on De'Aaron Fox's 28 points in the first three quarters to keep the deficit at four. At the end of the period, the SUNS relied on Ayton, Booker inside and outside the rotation of power, the final 120:109 to secure the victory.

Paul finished with 17 points and 19 assists, Booker had 32 points, Ayton had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Josh Okogie added 19 points and six rebounds. For the Kings, Fox scored 35 points, Domantas Sabonis had 24 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, and shooter Kevin Huerter added 18 points.