Suns Collapse, Blow 17-Point Lead in Loss vs Pacers

The Phoenix Suns saw Devin Booker catch fire against the Indiana Pacers, though it wasn't enough.

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns saw their winning streak end in a Friday night loss over the Indiana Pacers in 133-131 fashion. 

The Suns were propelled by Devin Booker's second-best scoring effort ever with 62, only matched by his 70-point outing against the Boston Celtics back in 2017.

Booker caught fire early on, scoring 29 points (a franchise record) in the first quarter as the Suns brought a 40-31 lead into the second. Phoenix turned the ball over five times in the first, allowing Indiana to hang around. 

Book joins Kobe Bryant as the only players since the 96-97 season with at least three career 28+ point quarters. (h/t @Stathead) pic.twitter.com/yPPbs3jAvh

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 27, 2024

The Suns maintained a double-digit lead throughout most of the second quarter as they carried a 59-46 advantage into the locker room. Phoenix shot 71% in the first half though Indiana had 11 offensive rebounds to the Suns' two.

The Pacers remained persistent in the third, slowly but surely cutting into Phoenix's lead with superior play in the paint. Indiana cut the lead down to one possession but still trailed at the end of the third, 114-105. 

Bradley Beal was temporarily forced out of action with a facial injury, more can be read about that here. 

Indiana and Phoenix traded buckets down the stretch of the fourth quarter with the Pacers eventually tying the game with a minute left. 

With 3.4 seconds left, Obi Toppin snagged a rebound and put a shot back up to give Indiana a 133-131 lead. 

Booker was unable to hit the final shot as the buzzer sounded, officially seeing Phoenix's winning streak end. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

DEVIN BOOKER - 62 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST

KEVIN DURANT - 20 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST

BRADLEY BEAL - 12 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST

PASCAL SIAKAM - 31 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST

WHAT'S NEXT

The Suns continue their road trip against the Orlando Magic on Sunday.