Steph Curry erupts for 50, but Warriors still drop to 0-8 on road after loss to Suns

Cameron Payne made 6 three-pointers to post career-best 29 points, while Devin Booker added 27 points, 9 assists, and 3 blocks to lead the Phoenix Suns to a solid 130-119 victory over the road-challenged Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, November 16 (Thursday, November 17, Manila time).

Mikal Bridges sank 5 three-pointers and had 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists for the Suns, who improved to 7-1 at home. Deandre Ayton scored 14 points and Torrey Craig added 13 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix.

Stephen Curry scored a season-best 50 points on 17-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-11 from three-point range, for the Warriors. It is the 11th time Curry has scored 50 or more points in a regular-season game.

The setback drops Golden State to 0-8 on the road, the club’s worst such start since the 1989-90 Warriors lost their first nine away games.

Klay Thompson scored 19 points, Andrew Wiggins added 14, and Kevon Looney had 10 points and 8 rebounds for Golden State.

Chris Paul (heel) sat out his fourth straight game for the Suns.

Payne has started in place of Paul in all four games and topped 20 in three of them. He also contributed 7 assists.

The Suns shot 51.2% from the field, including 21-of-40 (52.5%) from three-point range.

Golden State connected on 45.7% of its shots and was 18 of 42 (42.9%) from behind the arc. Curry, who also had 9 rebounds and 6 assists, has topped 40 points in three of the past five games.

The Suns led by 7 at the half before Payne and Craig opened the third quarter with three-pointers to make it 78-65.

Phoenix later scored 13 of 18 points and a Booker three-pointer increased the lead to 101-86 with 33.9 seconds to go in the period.

The Suns led 103-89 entering the final stanza but a pair of three-pointers by Donte DiVincenzo helped the Warriors creep within 8 with 10:32 left.

Phoenix responded with 9 straight points on baskets by Jock Landale and Ayton, a pair of free throws by Payne and a three-pointer by Damion Lee to take a 114-97 lead with 7:03 left.

Curry reached 50 when he knocked down a three-pointer with 2:31 left to cut the Warriors’ deficit to 125-112. He exited the game with 1:42 remaining with the Suns in control.

Payne scored 18 in the first half and Booker added 16 as Phoenix led 72-65 at the break. Curry had 31 in the half for Golden State. – Rappler.com