KEVIN Durant had a triumphant Phoenix Suns debut. They scored a 105-91 victory over Charlotte Hornets in the 2022-2023 NBA Season on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Durant, who was traded to the Suns from Brooklyn Nets during the trade deadline last month, scored five early points for Phoenix before tallying seven more at the start of the second quarter for 14 first half points.
Durant, who was out for almost a month due to a knee injury, scored consecutive baskets anew at the onset of fourth quarter as the Suns turned a slim six-point lead after three quarters to a double-digit spread.
Durant finished the game with 23 points, on 10-of-15 shooting from the field, to go with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 27 minutes of action as the Suns improved to 34-29 win-loss slate.
Devin Booker top-scored for Phoenix with 37 points with three outside hits, Deandre Ayton had double-double 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Chris Paul had 11 assists to go with his two points, two rebounds and two steals.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way for the injury-hit Hornets (20-44) with 26 points and nine rebounds, Terry Rozier III chipped in 20 markers, while Gordon Hayward contributed 15 points.
Meanwhile, Dennis Schroder bucked an early injury scare as he powered the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers (30-33) to a 123-117 triumph over Oklahoma City Thunder (28-34).
Schroder went down holding to his left ankle in the opening quarter but played through it and led the way for the Lakers with 26 points, on 8-of-18 shooting, to go with six assists.
Troy Brown Jr. added season-high 19 points, Austin Reaves continued his fine play for the Lakers with 19 points, while Lonnie Walker IV, Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley had 13, 12 and 11, respectively.
The Lakers scored the much-needed victory despite the absence of stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis due to left foot injuries and DeAngelo Russell due to left ankle sprain./PN
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 105 — Booker 37, Durant 23, Ayton 16, Craig 8, Landale 6, Payne 5, Okogie 4, Paul 2, Warren 2, D. Lee 2, Wainwright 0.
CHARLOTTE 91 — Oubre 26, Rozier 20, Hayward 15, Williams 11, Smith 8, Jones 4, McGowens 3, Thor 2, Richards 2.
Quarterscores: 27-22, 57-41, 79-73, 105-91.
