T.J. Warren scored 28 of his career-high 40 points in the second half and the Phoenix Suns overcame a 22-point deficit to beat the Washington Wizards 122-116 on Wednesday night.
Warren also had 10 rebounds and Devin Booker added 22 points to help the Suns improve to 4-1 under interim coach Jay Triano following an 0-3 start that led to Earl Watson’s firing.
Bradley Beal scored a season-high 40 points for Washington, which built the lead to 22 by the second quarter but saw it completely disappear early in the fourth.
John Wall added 21 points, and Marcin Gortat had 13 rebounds for Washington. The Wizards have given back double-digit leads in all three of their home games this season.
The Wizards found ways to win the first two, but without starters Otto Porter (illness) and Markieff Morris (suspension) could pull off no similar feat this time.
After a flurry of lead changes late, Warren absorbed Beal’s foul and had a three-point play to give the Suns the lead for good, 109-108.
A few possessions later, Warren’s baseline 3 off Booker’s 3 made it a four-point game, and his jumper two possessions after that made it 116-110 with 1:29 to play.
The Wizards activated Morris (sports hernia) for the first time this season in order to serve a one-game suspension for leaving the bench during a scuffle Friday night in a loss at Golden State. He is expected to make his season debut against Cleveland on Friday night.
Suns center Alex Len received a flagrant 1 for his foul on Jason Smith during the second quarter. He fouled out with 2:58 to play.
Phoenix tied its high for points in a quarter with 37 in the second and 37 in the fourth. The Suns also scored 35 in the third.
With Porter out, forward Jason Smith made his second start for Washington, which used its third starting combination of the season.
Wall received his first technical foul of the season for his reaction following a made layup in the second quarter. His 15 techs last season tied him for second in the NBA.
The Suns return to New York to face the Knicks on Friday night. They won at Brooklyn on Monday night.
The Wizards host defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland on Friday night.
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