Recap: Suns lose a triple-overtime thriller 149-146 to Wizards

The Suns looked very loose and confident in the pregame warm-ups and perhaps that worked against them tonight. The game was pretty much a see-saw event from start to finish... and finish... and finish... and finish.

The Suns didn’t shoot well early and gave up way to many points in the paint to Washington (60 in regulation alone). Missed free throws near the end of the fourth quarter cost them an early win and led to the first overtime. They played hard throughout but just didn’t have enough at the end to pull out a win.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 33 points and 14 assists, Deandre Ayton had a double-double of his own with 26 points and 17 rebounds. T.J. Warren came close to one himself with 28 points and 8 rebounds. Booker and Warren played 55 and 53 minutes each tonight with newcomer Kelly Oubre getting 42 minutes off the bench and adding 20 points. Ayton also fouled out in the second OT.

Bradley Beal had a triple-double for the Wiz with 40 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds in 54 minutes. Thomas Bryant added 31 points and 13 rebounds.

In the end, the Suns were just out-shot early and then out-rebounded late by the Wizards tonight which cost them a win.

1st Quarter

Suns win the tip but the Wizards get on the board first.

Wizards up 9-5 early off Suns’ miscues. Three turnovers already after just 3.5 minutes. Suns fighting back but the Wiz are getting the better of them so far.

Timeout Suns at 6:32 with the Wiz leading 18-12. Booker has yet to score, Melton leads the Suns with 5 points. Thomas Bryant has 7 for the Wizards.

Suns tighten up their defense and cut the Wizards’ lead to 20-19.

The Wizards’ lead is now at 26-21 after Markieff Morris hits a three. The Suns draw back to within 3 with an Ayton slam. They need to feed him in the post more this game instead of launching so many threes. Suns are 3 of 8 so far from three, Washington is 3 of 5 and shooting 60% from the field compared to 50% for the Suns.

Booker finally gets on the board and Warren his two free throws to end the quarter.

Wizards lead 33-29 at the end of the 1st.

The Wizards have just out shot the Suns in the 1st.

2nd Quarter

Wow! Several turnovers in a row by both teams eventually lead to a Suns score. Both teams playing with energy but the breaks are starting to go the Suns’ way as they tie the game at 41-41. At 7:06. Timeout called.

Suns regain the lead 43-42 on a Booker bucket. The Wizards take back the lead 46-43. The Suns are actually outplaying the Wizards but their shots just aren’t falling. They’re shooting 43.6% from the field and 23.2% from three. Washington is shooting 48.8% and 40%.

Suns call time at the 3:48 mark.

Suns get a few breaks, hit a few more buckets and the game is tied 55-55 at the end of the half.

At the Half

The Suns did not shoot well during much of the 1st half but hung in with defense although ther were lapses that let the Wiz get to the rim way too easily. The Suns are shooting 40.7% from the field and 33.3% from three. The Wizards are hitting 52.2% of their FGs and 41.7% of their threes.

Ayton leads the Suns with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Booker has 11 points and 7 assists. Beal leads the Wiz with 12 points and 7 assists. Ariza and Satoransky added 10 apiece and Jeff Green leads them in rebounding with 6.

Phoenix has also out rebounded the Wizards 28 to 21.

3rd Quarter

Booker gets an and-one to start the third. Teams trade baskets in the early going but the suns have a 65-62 lead at 8:46.

The Wizards take the lead back 68-67 at 6:43 after some sloppy play by the Suns. Washington is getting to the rim way too often.

Wizards lead 83-79 at the end of the third quarter.

4th Quarter

Suns start the 4th with a mini-run to take an 84-83 lead but the Wiz tie it up at the FT line hitting one of two.

Whoa! Josh Jackson steals the inbounds pass and posterizes Markieff Morris to give the Suns an 88-84 lead with 9:37 to play. The Suns are now on a 9-1 run.

Holmes with a jam and a primal scream!

Wizards aren’t going away though as they cut the Suns’ lead to 90-88. Timeout called with 7:29 to play

Two quick scores and the Suns are up by six. Morris hits a three but Oubre answers with one of his own. Suns still up by 6, 97-91. Time called with the Suns up 97-94 with 5 minutes to play.

Suns up 102-97 with 3:23 to play. Booker has 22 points as does Beal for the Wiz.

Tie game at 1:34 to play, 104-104. Suns with the ball and call timeout.

The Wizards take the lead with a three but the suns take the lead back with a couple of quick twos. 108-107 Suns with 29.4 seconds to go!

Wizards miss their last shot, Ayton gets the board and gets fouled. He makes one of two. Suns up 109-107 with 4 seconds to play. Wizards call timeout.

Jeff green gets fouled at the rim with 3.4 seconds to go. He hits both and ties the game at 109. Booker misses a three at the buzzer and the game goes into overtime.

Overtime

Suns and Wizards trading scores early in OT. Game tied at 118 with 1:22 to play.

Game tied 122-122 with 6.2 seconds left. Wizards with the ball. Beal misses a buzzer beater over Ayton and we’re going to double overtime.

Double OT

Again the teams trade buckets to start OT with neither able to pull away from the other. Booker hits two free throws to put the suns up 128-126.

Ayton fouls out with 2.16 to play. Wizards tie the game from the FT line at 128.

Suns up 130-128 with 1:35 to play.

Argh! Shot colck violation on the Suns. Wizards take advantage and tie the game at 130 after Booker gets his 5th foul.

Booker misses another buzzer beater and it’s tied 132-132 at the end of the 2nd overtime. We’re going to triple OT.

Triple OT

First triple OT for the Suns since 2011.

Trading baskets again early. Wizards up 142-139 with 2:14 to play after Beal gets and and-one.

Timeout with Wizards leading 144-141 with 1:10 to play. Suns ball.

Tie game after a three by Warren!

Wizards up 147-146 with 9.2 seconds left. Wizards have the ball and Warren fouls Green. He makes both free throws and...

This game is finally over.

Suns lose 149-146