Pacers let Suns get away late in 125-117 loss

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Mikal Bridges scored a career-high 34 points and Devin Booker added 25, leading the Phoenix Suns to a 125-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.

Phoenix pulled into a tie with the defending champion Los Angles Lakers for the best record in the Western Conference at 7-3 after earning its first road win over the Pacers since 2016.

All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis had 28 points and matched his career high with 22 rebounds for the Pacers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Phoenix used a late first-half run to take a 56-53 halftime lead, then opened the second half by scoring the first five points.

While Sabonis tried single-handedly to keep the Pacers close with 16 points in the final six minutes of the third quarter, the Pacers never led in the second half.

Instead, the Suns sealed the victory with Bridges’ 3-pointer to cap an 11-0 run that made it 109-96 with 5:49 left. Phoenix was 16 of 41 on 3s, becoming the ninth team in NBA history to open the season with 10 straight games of 10 or more 3s.

TIP-INS

Suns: Phoenix had only three turnovers. … Bridges was 6 of 8 on 3s. … Chris Paul had 15 points and 10 assists. … DeAndre Ayton didn’t score until 8:43 left in the third quarter. He finished with eight points and 14 rebounds. … At 7-3, Phoenix is off to its best start since going 8-2 in 2009-10.

Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon had 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds. … Victor Oladipo scored 16 points while Myles Turner had 15 points and 10 rebounds. … Justin Holiday continued playing well Saturday, scoring 17 points, 14 in 14 minutes during the first half. … Sabonis has a double-double in all nine games this season.

UP NEXT

Suns: Complete a three-game road trip Monday at Washington.

Pacers: Begin a five-game road trip when they visit Sacramento on Monday.