When Watson boldly bet on himself by entering the NBA draft as a one-and-done despite averaging only 3.3 points in 13 minutes at UCLA, Durant sent him an encouraging text. “I love this,” Watson recalls Durant saying. “I love that he’s carving out a lane for himself, because in college he didn’t get a lot of minutes. He didn’t play a lot,” Durant says now. “He got drafted purely off of talent, potential, his athleticism. He’s somebody I’ve really got major respect for. I really want to see him do well.”
Source: Denver Post
Source: Denver Post
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Was Draymond Right About Kyrie and KD? shows.acast.com/bucher-and-fri… via @acast – 5:28 PM
Was Draymond Right About Kyrie and KD? shows.acast.com/bucher-and-fri… via @acast – 5:28 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“We had a little more contact and physicality in the 2nd half, but you’re not going to stop Book and KD from doing what they’re doing and Bradley is healthy now. That’s a pretty tough trio. Our guys did everything they could.” Gregg Popovich on #Suns Big 3 tinyurl.com/2cuh2u2n pic.twitter.com/Tp5fDdv5fl – 10:37 AM
“We had a little more contact and physicality in the 2nd half, but you’re not going to stop Book and KD from doing what they’re doing and Bradley is healthy now. That’s a pretty tough trio. Our guys did everything they could.” Gregg Popovich on #Suns Big 3 tinyurl.com/2cuh2u2n pic.twitter.com/Tp5fDdv5fl – 10:37 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Michael Malone tonight: “Aside from (Christian Braun) and Reggie off the bench, I don’t know who’s going to play in the playoffs.”
My read: Peyton Watson is in the playoff rotation, but this is a reminder to him to pick it up. Lock in. It’s about that time of year. pic.twitter.com/reU5oEZl0h – 2:29 AM
Michael Malone tonight: “Aside from (Christian Braun) and Reggie off the bench, I don’t know who’s going to play in the playoffs.”
My read: Peyton Watson is in the playoff rotation, but this is a reminder to him to pick it up. Lock in. It’s about that time of year. pic.twitter.com/reU5oEZl0h – 2:29 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s always a plus, especially at this point in the season to get our rest and more importantly, play the right way to put us in that situation.”
Devin Booker as he and Kevin Durant rested entire 4th quarter of #Suns win over #Spurs.
On Victor Wembanyama: “Nowhere near soft.” pic.twitter.com/RBSMNERwgg – 12:15 AM
“It’s always a plus, especially at this point in the season to get our rest and more importantly, play the right way to put us in that situation.”
Devin Booker as he and Kevin Durant rested entire 4th quarter of #Suns win over #Spurs.
On Victor Wembanyama: “Nowhere near soft.” pic.twitter.com/RBSMNERwgg – 12:15 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“He means so much to me and the game of basketball.”
Kevin Durant on Gregg Popovich as he watched Spurs play while in college at Texas.
“Just a real human being.”
Popovich coached Durant to Olympic gold.
Hugged before game.
“Tell him I love him.”
Wine bottle incoming. #Suns pic.twitter.com/5sJ3AMmx8P – 12:05 AM
“He means so much to me and the game of basketball.”
Kevin Durant on Gregg Popovich as he watched Spurs play while in college at Texas.
“Just a real human being.”
Popovich coached Durant to Olympic gold.
Hugged before game.
“Tell him I love him.”
Wine bottle incoming. #Suns pic.twitter.com/5sJ3AMmx8P – 12:05 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I love playing. I don’t really be tripping, but it’s always good to see us play good, solid ball from 1st quarter to the 4th.”
Kevin Durant as Suns led by as many as 32 and never trailed in 131-106 win over Spurs.
On defending Victor Wembanyama: “It was a team effort.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/b0Si9tFGVO – 11:59 PM
“I love playing. I don’t really be tripping, but it’s always good to see us play good, solid ball from 1st quarter to the 4th.”
Kevin Durant as Suns led by as many as 32 and never trailed in 131-106 win over Spurs.
On defending Victor Wembanyama: “It was a team effort.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/b0Si9tFGVO – 11:59 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Pop dropped off Kevin Durant a bottle of Pingus wine ahead of tonight’s game. KD said it was important to give Pop a hug before the game and “tell him I love him.” – 10:44 PM
Pop dropped off Kevin Durant a bottle of Pingus wine ahead of tonight’s game. KD said it was important to give Pop a hug before the game and “tell him I love him.” – 10:44 PM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Peyton Watson just blocked Dalano Banton’s floater attempt, took it coast to coast and made a floater a hair after the first-quarter buzzer. – 10:35 PM
Peyton Watson just blocked Dalano Banton’s floater attempt, took it coast to coast and made a floater a hair after the first-quarter buzzer. – 10:35 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Players with 300+ points this month:
Luka Doncic
Kevin Durant
Jayson Tatum
And Jalen Green. pic.twitter.com/Pjvgpgqjyx – 10:35 PM
Players with 300+ points this month:
Luka Doncic
Kevin Durant
Jayson Tatum
And Jalen Green. pic.twitter.com/Pjvgpgqjyx – 10:35 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 131, SAS 106
Booker: 32 Pts, 9 Ast, 7 Reb, 14-24 FG
Durant: 25-4-4-3, 12-16 FG
Beal: 13 Pts, 12 Ast, 6-10 FG
Gordon: 12 Pts, 4-5 3P
Wembanyama: 13 Pts, 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 5-7 FG
Suns with 36 assists to 10 team turnovers (most of which came in garbage time) – 10:10 PM
Final: PHX 131, SAS 106
Booker: 32 Pts, 9 Ast, 7 Reb, 14-24 FG
Durant: 25-4-4-3, 12-16 FG
Beal: 13 Pts, 12 Ast, 6-10 FG
Gordon: 12 Pts, 4-5 3P
Wembanyama: 13 Pts, 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 5-7 FG
Suns with 36 assists to 10 team turnovers (most of which came in garbage time) – 10:10 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The minute totals for Booker and Durant will be in the top-5 of their lowest for the season. Suns haven’t had many of these types of blowouts and another on Monday would be welcome for them before the gauntlet begins on Wednesday. – 9:55 PM
The minute totals for Booker and Durant will be in the top-5 of their lowest for the season. Suns haven’t had many of these types of blowouts and another on Monday would be welcome for them before the gauntlet begins on Wednesday. – 9:55 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns probably looking to rest Booker and Durant the whole 4th quarter.
Lineup: Beal, Gordon, Bol, O’Neale and Eubanks.
Up 103-74 with 11:25 left in 4th. – 9:45 PM
#Suns probably looking to rest Booker and Durant the whole 4th quarter.
Lineup: Beal, Gordon, Bol, O’Neale and Eubanks.
Up 103-74 with 11:25 left in 4th. – 9:45 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
3Q: Suns by 32. PHX wins the 3Q by 14.
Keldon 14 pts
Wemby in 21 mins: 13 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk
Jones 10 pts
Booker 32 pts
Durant 25 pts
Gordon 12 pts
Beal 11 pts
2s and 3s: Suns +40
FTs: Spurs +8 – 9:43 PM
3Q: Suns by 32. PHX wins the 3Q by 14.
Keldon 14 pts
Wemby in 21 mins: 13 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk
Jones 10 pts
Booker 32 pts
Durant 25 pts
Gordon 12 pts
Beal 11 pts
2s and 3s: Suns +40
FTs: Spurs +8 – 9:43 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 103, SAS 71
Booker: 32 Pts, 9 Ast, 7 Reb, 14-24 FG
Durant: 25-4-4-3, 12-16 FG
Beal: 11 Pts, 11 Ast, 5-9 FG
Gordon: 12 Pts, 4-4 3P
Wembanyama: 13 Pts, 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 5-7 FG – 9:43 PM
End of 3Q: PHX 103, SAS 71
Booker: 32 Pts, 9 Ast, 7 Reb, 14-24 FG
Durant: 25-4-4-3, 12-16 FG
Beal: 11 Pts, 11 Ast, 5-9 FG
Gordon: 12 Pts, 4-4 3P
Wembanyama: 13 Pts, 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 5-7 FG – 9:43 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Nurkic threw a lob that Durant and Booker both went after. Durant finished it.
Laughter all around and Beal did the pat on top of head move for someone getting dunked on.
#Suns up 84-56. – 9:27 PM
Nurkic threw a lob that Durant and Booker both went after. Durant finished it.
Laughter all around and Beal did the pat on top of head move for someone getting dunked on.
#Suns up 84-56. – 9:27 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have combined for 45 points.
They’re scoring from almost anywhere on the floor
Suns by 26 pic.twitter.com/083RjMTPT7 – 9:25 PM
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have combined for 45 points.
They’re scoring from almost anywhere on the floor
Suns by 26 pic.twitter.com/083RjMTPT7 – 9:25 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns 65 #Spurs 47 Half.
Same 18-point halftime lead for Phoenix (63-45) when San Antonio came back to win, 115-114, Halloween at Footprint Center
PHX: Durant 17 points, Booker 16.
SAS: Wembanyama 11. – 9:10 PM
#Suns 65 #Spurs 47 Half.
Same 18-point halftime lead for Phoenix (63-45) when San Antonio came back to win, 115-114, Halloween at Footprint Center
PHX: Durant 17 points, Booker 16.
SAS: Wembanyama 11. – 9:10 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Half: Suns by 18. PHX wins the 2Q by 9.
Wemby in 14 mins: 11 pts, 4 reb, 2ast, 1 blk
Durant 17 pts
Beal 16 pts
2s and 3s: Suns +21
FTs: Spurs +3
SA shooting 24% from three – 9:04 PM
Half: Suns by 18. PHX wins the 2Q by 9.
Wemby in 14 mins: 11 pts, 4 reb, 2ast, 1 blk
Durant 17 pts
Beal 16 pts
2s and 3s: Suns +21
FTs: Spurs +3
SA shooting 24% from three – 9:04 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 65, SAS 47
Durant: 17 Pts, 4 Reb, 8-12 FG
Booker: 16 Pts, 5 Reb, 5 Ast, 7-12 FG
Beal: 6 Pts, 8 Ast, 3-5 FG
Gordon: 9 Pts, 3-4 FG
Wembanyama: 11 Pts, 4 Reb, 4-6 FG – 9:03 PM
Halftime: PHX 65, SAS 47
Durant: 17 Pts, 4 Reb, 8-12 FG
Booker: 16 Pts, 5 Reb, 5 Ast, 7-12 FG
Beal: 6 Pts, 8 Ast, 3-5 FG
Gordon: 9 Pts, 3-4 FG
Wembanyama: 11 Pts, 4 Reb, 4-6 FG – 9:03 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns needed a half like this. Up 19 now with 14 apiece from Book and KD while holding the Spurs to 34% shooting – 8:54 PM
Suns needed a half like this. Up 19 now with 14 apiece from Book and KD while holding the Spurs to 34% shooting – 8:54 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant 14, Booker 14.
Bol pull up jumper. #Suns up 53-34 as Nurkic scores.
3:25 left in half. – 8:53 PM
Durant 14, Booker 14.
Bol pull up jumper. #Suns up 53-34 as Nurkic scores.
3:25 left in half. – 8:53 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns current lineup: Booker, Allen, Durant, Bol, Nurkic.
Thoughts. Phoenix up 45-31 with 5:30 left in 2nd quarter. – 8:50 PM
#Suns current lineup: Booker, Allen, Durant, Bol, Nurkic.
Thoughts. Phoenix up 45-31 with 5:30 left in 2nd quarter. – 8:50 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns current lineup: Booker, Allen, Durant, Bol, Nurkic.
Thoughts. Phoenix up 43-31 with 6:30 left in 2nd quarte.r – 8:49 PM
#Suns current lineup: Booker, Allen, Durant, Bol, Nurkic.
Thoughts. Phoenix up 43-31 with 6:30 left in 2nd quarte.r – 8:49 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
1Q: Suns by 9. Suns holds Spurs under 20 points.
Wemby in 7 mins: 6 pts, 3 reb, 1 blk
Booker 12 pts
KD 6 pts
2s: Suns +12
FTs: Spurs +3
Spurs struggling from three again, shooting 1/9 – 8:34 PM
1Q: Suns by 9. Suns holds Spurs under 20 points.
Wemby in 7 mins: 6 pts, 3 reb, 1 blk
Booker 12 pts
KD 6 pts
2s: Suns +12
FTs: Spurs +3
Spurs struggling from three again, shooting 1/9 – 8:34 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 26, SAS 17
Booker: 12 Pts, 5 Reb, 5-9 FG
Durant: 6 Pts, 3-5 FG
Allen: 4 Pts, 2-4 FG
Wembanyama: 6 Pts, 3 Reb, 1 Blk – 8:34 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 26, SAS 17
Booker: 12 Pts, 5 Reb, 5-9 FG
Durant: 6 Pts, 3-5 FG
Allen: 4 Pts, 2-4 FG
Wembanyama: 6 Pts, 3 Reb, 1 Blk – 8:34 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant drive w/Wembanyama on bench. Timeout #Spurs. #Suns up 13-8 with 6:46 left in 1st. – 8:19 PM
Durant drive w/Wembanyama on bench. Timeout #Spurs. #Suns up 13-8 with 6:46 left in 1st. – 8:19 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Suns have KD guarding Wemby and Nurkic guarding Sochan.
Nurkic is roaming in the paint and leaving Sochan wide open from three, to be around in case Wemby tries to attack inside – 8:16 PM
The Suns have KD guarding Wemby and Nurkic guarding Sochan.
Nurkic is roaming in the paint and leaving Sochan wide open from three, to be around in case Wemby tries to attack inside – 8:16 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Sochan being out there allows Durant to go on Wemby. Nurkic OK with leaving him.
Wemby in a drop and Booker targeting that early. – 8:15 PM
Sochan being out there allows Durant to go on Wemby. Nurkic OK with leaving him.
Wemby in a drop and Booker targeting that early. – 8:15 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant guarding Wembanyama. #Suns force turnover first #Spurs possession as Wemby forced pass. – 8:11 PM
Durant guarding Wembanyama. #Suns force turnover first #Spurs possession as Wemby forced pass. – 8:11 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Starters for Spurs vs Suns:
Jones vs Booker
Vassell vs Beal
Champagnie vs Allen
Sochan vs KD
Wemby vs Nurkic
The Suns are favored by 10. – 7:49 PM
Starters for Spurs vs Suns:
Jones vs Booker
Vassell vs Beal
Champagnie vs Allen
Sochan vs KD
Wemby vs Nurkic
The Suns are favored by 10. – 7:49 PM
More on this storyline
Watson had an outstanding game. So did his brother, Christian. Durant was impressed by both. He and Peyton developed a line of communication via social media DMs. “I think I followed him, and then he might’ve hit me up first,” Durant said. “I don’t know. It’s just one of those friendships that you don’t know how it started; it just organically happened. He’s been my brother ever since.” -via Denver Post / March 25, 2024
Peyton Watson was between his junior and senior years of high school, but he had an invite to the best pickup game in Los Angeles. Arranged by one of his basketball idols. “I was starstruck,” Watson said. “I couldn’t even sleep the night before. I didn’t even go to sleep. I stayed up all night.” Four years later, the Nuggets wing still considers that day one of the most important of his life. For about two hours, he was the only high schooler in a small group of players running full-court pickup games, led by the two-time NBA Finals MVP. -via Denver Post / March 25, 2024
“I was training. Trying to get guys in the gym every day to train, to get ready for the season, because I was coming off the Achilles injury,” Durant told The Denver Post. “So we were bringing guys every day. And I think that day, Peyton had came in, and guys might’ve canceled on us that day. So we just played full-court 3-on-3. … We weren’t expecting anything out of anybody. Just playing hard and just having an honest hoop game. He came in and fit right in.” -via Denver Post / March 25, 2024
