Phoenix Suns 131, Golden State Warriors 122: Booker's 43 and a 45-point third

The Golden State Warriors scored 38 points in the third quarter at Mortgage Matchup Center on Saturday and still lost ground. The Phoenix Suns put up 45 in that period, Devin Booker finished with 43, and Phoenix won 131-122. The loss dropped Golden State to 0-3 at the time.

The Warriors made more threes and more free throws. Phoenix won anyway by living at the rim and shooting 58 percent from the field.

How it was won

Golden State had the better start. It won the first quarter 25-22 and built a lead that peaked at 7.

The second quarter turned it. Phoenix outscored the Warriors 35-29 to take a 57-54 lead into halftime.

The third settled it. The Suns scored 45 points in 12 minutes, and even a 38-point quarter from Golden State left the Warriors down 102-92 going into the fourth. Phoenix's lead reached 16 at its widest. Golden State took the fourth 30-29, which was not enough to make it close at the finish.

The box score shows where the gap came from:

• Field goals: Phoenix 50-86 (58 percent), Golden State 41-91 (45 percent).
• Points in the paint: Phoenix 60, Golden State 48.
• Assists: Phoenix 33, Golden State 24.
• Threes: Golden State 17-39, Phoenix 14-37.
• Free throws: Golden State 23-32, Phoenix 17-22.
• Rebounds: Golden State 44, Phoenix 42. Turnovers were even at 17 apiece.

Golden State gained nine points from three and six at the line. It gave back more than that inside and on the volume of made shots.

Booker did most of his damage without the three. He went 2-7 from deep and still scored 43, adding 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Miles Bridges had 16 points and 7 rebounds, and Dillon Brooks added 15 points and 5 assists.

For Golden State, Yaxel Lendeborg led with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, hitting 6 of 11 threes. De'Anthony Melton scored 25 with 5 rebounds and 5 assists on 4-8 from three. Brandon Williams added 20 points and 5 assists. Three scorers at 20 or more kept the Warriors in range, but nobody slowed Booker.

Against the number

Phoenix closed as a 9.5-point favorite. A nine-point loss meant Golden State covered by half a point, and the Warriors' 30-29 fourth quarter is the reason.

The total closed at 221.5. The teams combined for 253, clearing it by 31.5, and the 83 combined points in the third quarter did much of that work on their own.

The moneyline closed at Golden State +320 and Phoenix -410. The favorite won straight up. Odds, line history and the full board are on the game page.

What's next

Golden State has played once since. It won 134-114 at the Denver Nuggets for its first win, and stands 1-3. The four results, newest first: W 134-114 at Denver, L 122-131 at Phoenix, L 108-111 vs Memphis, L 105-127 at the Lakers.

The Warriors' next game is Wednesday, October 28, at the Minnesota Timberwolves, on NBA League Pass.

Phoenix moved to 1-1 with the win. Its next opponent was not part of the material we have, and we will add it to the board when the schedule is confirmed.