Devin Booker delivered 30 points and 10 assists as the Phoenix Suns halted the Charlotte Hornets’ 10-game road winning streak with a composed 111-99 victory on Sunday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The defeat ended the Hornets’ longest stretch of road dominance since the Los Angeles Lakers won 11 straight away games during the 2019-20 season.
Before a sellout crowd of 17,071, the Suns tightened defensively after a shaky start and controlled the final stretch to improve to 37-27. Charlotte fell to 32-33, though it remains one of the league’s more resilient teams after winning 16 of its previous 21 games.
Booker Controls the Tempo
Booker’s performance was both forceful and measured. Though he struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 1-of-6 from three-point range, he relentlessly attacked the paint and capitalized at the foul line, finishing a flawless 15-for-15 on free throws. He added three rebounds and dictated the offense during key stretches.
“Uh we had to up the physicality,” Booker said post-game. “I think they were running around getting wherever they wanted. Um putting us in close outs. You know, we’re falling for a lot of pump fakes and um they came out hot.”
Charlotte opened the contest sharp and confident, hitting nine of its first 11 shots. But Booker steadied Phoenix early with a driving layup in the first quarter and later knocked down a third-quarter three-pointer that blunted a Hornets push. His pull-up jumper with 3:26 remaining in the fourth quarter helped seal the outcome.
Green and Gillespie Provide Crucial Support
Phoenix received significant scoring from its supporting cast. Jalen Green scored 24 points, including 20 in the first half, keeping the Suns within striking distance during Charlotte’s early surge. He finished 8-of-19 from the field and hit four three-pointers.
Collin Gillespie also added 24 points, delivering timely baskets when the game tightened in the fourth quarter. Booker highlighted Gillespie’s poise under pressure.
“So, he’s obviously, you know, not shy in those big moments,” Booker said. “Um, you can tell the game slows down for him and, you know, he just takes what the defense gives him.”
Off the bench, Rasheer Fleming chipped in 16 points, connecting on four of six attempts from beyond the arc to stretch Charlotte’s defense.
Defense and Discipline Mark the Difference
The game was tight at halftime, with Phoenix holding a narrow 60-58 lead. After the break, the Suns sharpened defensively, limiting clean looks and forcing difficult attempts. Charlotte committed 11 turnovers and was whistled for 21 fouls, while Phoenix committed just six turnovers and 17 fouls.
That discipline widened the gap as the fourth quarter wore on. The Hornets, who had not lost a road game since Jan. 17 at Golden State, struggled to rediscover their rhythm. LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 22 points and seven rebounds, but the Suns’ defensive adjustments reduced his influence late.
Streak Snapped, Momentum Sustained
The Hornets arrived in Phoenix riding the NBA’s longest active road winning streak, a run that had quietly reshaped their season after a 4-14 start. Their recent 16-5 surge had placed them back into postseason contention and earned them recognition as one of the league’s toughest away teams.
But Phoenix, fresh off a narrow win over New Orleans, approached the contest with urgency. The Suns have now won four of their last five games, strengthening their position in a crowded Western Conference race.
By night’s end, what began as a showcase of Charlotte’s road prowess turned into a statement of Phoenix’s resilience. In a season defined by tight margins and shifting momentum, the Suns demonstrated that discipline at the line, defensive resolve and leadership from Booker remain reliable tools when the stakes rise.
