Durant scores 31 points, Beal adds season-high 25 to help Suns beat Magic 112-107

PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Bradley Beal added a season-high 25 and the Phoenix Suns won their third straight game, beating the Orlando Magic 112-107 on Sunday night.

Beal was playing in just his eighth game this season because of back and ankle injuries. The three-time All-Star — acquired in an offseason trade with Washington — shot 10 of 13 from the field, including a powerful dunk in the third quarter.

Orlando trailed for a big chunk of the evening but rallied to cut it to 89-87 heading into the fourth. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 12 points in the third on 5-of-7 shooting.

The Suns would recover, using a 17-6 run to build a 10-point lead and regain control. Durant shot 12 of 21 from the field and added five rebounds and five assists. Devin Booker scored 21 points and Jusuf Nurkic had 19 points and 13 rebounds. The Suns’ backups scored only six points, all by Chimezie Metu.

Banchero led the Magic with 28 points, while Franz Wagner added 27. Wendell Carter Jr. had 17 points off the bench.

The Suns played a second straight game with their star trio of Durant, Beal and Booker. The three All-Stars combined for 22 points on the way to a 37-24 lead after one quarter. Phoenix settled for a 67-58 lead at halftime.

Phoenix also welcomed back guard Josh Okogie, who missed six out of the past eight games because of an ankle injury.

The Magic were playing without guard Markelle Fultz (knee) and forward Jonathan Isaac (hamstring).

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after dunking during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Footprint Center on December 31, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

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