Luke Kennard's 20 points lift Phoenix Suns past Spurs, 102-98

Suns finish in front

Luke Kennard scored 20 points, and the Phoenix Suns held off the San Antonio Spurs 102-98 on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Mortgage Matchup Center. Phoenix led by four at the final buzzer, improving to 1-2 while San Antonio fell to 0-2.

The Suns were the home team in front of an attendance of 17,071. Jalen Green added five assists for Phoenix, while Khaman Maluach collected 15 rebounds. For San Antonio, Dylan Harper scored 15 points, Victor Wembanyama had six assists and Luke Kornet grabbed 10 rebounds.

Phoenix builds early lead

Phoenix opened the game with a 35-25 advantage. Kennard connected on three 3-pointers in the first quarter, including a 25-footer, while Green made a pair of 3-pointers and added a driving layup. Jordan Goodwin also hit two 3-pointers for the Suns in the opening period.

San Antonio answered in the second quarter, outscoring Phoenix 26-23. Harper scored 10 points in the period, including a 25-foot 3-pointer and a driving dunk. Wembanyama contributed a 13-foot jumper, but the Suns still took a 58-51 lead into halftime.

Spurs make a late push

Phoenix extended its advantage in the third quarter, scoring 27 points to San Antonio's 22. Kennard made another 3-pointer, and Maluach added a 25-foot 3-pointer along with two other baskets in the period. The Suns led 85-73 entering the fourth.

San Antonio scored the final quarter's first four points, but Phoenix responded with baskets from Luke Kornet, Oso Ighodaro and Ja'Kobi Gillespie's 29-foot 3-pointer. The Spurs continued to close the gap, with Tarris Reed Jr. making three field goals and two free throws and Maliq Brown hitting two 3-pointers. Brown's second 3-pointer cut the margin to four, but Phoenix remained ahead at 102-98.

Records

The victory moved the Phoenix Suns to 1-2. The San Antonio Spurs finished the game at 0-2.

Sources

ESPN