PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns wanted to win their 16th straight game at home for Christmas, but the Golden State Warriors had other plans.
Stephen Curry led the shorthanded Warriors to a 116-107 win over the Suns in Phoenix on Saturday. He scored 33 points, the most he’s ever recorded on Christmas Day.
Curry said it was the Warriors’ biggest win of the season. “Nice win on Christmas. Nice win on the road against the best record in the league and we were shorthanded,” he said of his team, which was missing three key shooters due to COVID-19 and injury.
Four of the Suns’ starters finished in double figures. Chris Paul scored 21 points, Deandre Ayton had 18, Devin Booker had 13 points and Mikal Bridges had 17.
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Here’s four takeaways from Saturday night’s game:
1. The Suns couldn’t match the Warriors’ energy
The Suns are known for winning with their defense, with the No. 2-ranked defense in the league, but they met their match Saturday against the Warriors’ top-ranked defense.
With 2:32 left in the game, Curry stole the ball from Paul and set Otto Porter Jr. up for a clutch jumper, one of three big shots he hit down the stretch to seal the Warriors’ win. The Suns shot 0-for-4 for the final 3:01 of the game.
“We’re usually a really good defensive team. Tonight we gave…
