Jonathan Kuminga ties career high with 34 points, Warriors beat Suns 109-105
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, left, dunks next to Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Godofredo A. Vásquez]
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jonathan Kuminga had 34 points and made the go-ahead free throw in the Golden State Warriors’ 109-105 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
With the Warriors down one, Kuminga was fouled after getting inside positioning on Kevin Durant on an out-of-bounds play with 29 seconds to go. Kuminga made both free throws to put Golden State ahead and tie his career high in points a day after setting it against the Clippers on Friday.
Durant, who led the Suns with 31 points, missed a shot on the other end, and Dennis Schroder made two free throws after the Suns committed a loose ball foul on the rebound.
Phoenix led 65-61 at halftime. Stephen Curry, who had 22 points, beat the first-half buzzer with a one-handed, off-balance floater over seven-footer Oso Ighodaro after going behind the back to split two defenders.
The Suns were without Jusuf Nurkic, who was serving the first of a three-game suspension for his role in a fight against the Mavericks on Friday. Royce O’Neale also left the game in the second quarter with a left ankle sprain.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (lower abdominal strain) did not play in the second half.
Takeaways
Suns: The Suns have lost five of six and are under .500 for the first time this season after an 8-1 start.
Warriors: The Warriors picked up a much-needed win to start a six-game homestand after losing six of seven.
Key moment
The Warriors held the Suns without a field goal in the final 6:48, keying their fourth-quarter comeback.
Key stat
The Warriors played in their league-leading 21st clutch game of the season, improving to 9-12 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes. Eight of their last nine games have been clutch games.
Up next
The Warriors host the Cavaliers on Monday, while the Suns host the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
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