NBA 2018-2019: 3 Talking points from Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors

Final Score: Phoenix Suns 115 - Golden State Warriors 111

The Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns are two entirely different teams. The Suns are a lottery team and the Warriors are on top of the Western Conference. The Suns have a record of 16-52 and the Warriors are 45-21.

Their playoff hopes are officially over but the Suns are not giving up. As the end of their season approaches, the Suns got a big win of the Warriors. They beat the Golden State Warriors in a close game. They beat the Warriors 115-111.

The Suns are a talented, young team that is still rebuilding. They have their star in Devin Booker and a skilled center in DeAndre Ayton. The Suns are headed in the right direction and have the chance to add another piece.

With their current record, the Suns will likely receive a top-3 pick. It is between them, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. If the Suns draft a player such as Ja Morant of Murray State or Zion Williamson of Duke, they'll improve.

Until then, the Suns have 14 games remaining in the season. The rest of their season will have ups and downs, but the draft will help things get better. Their win over the Warriors is one of the highlights of their remaining season.

It was a great win over one of the best teams in the NBA. Now, the Suns have confidence and can finish their season strong. This game does not do much for either team's records, but it was still a great game. Here are three talking points from the Suns' win over the Warriors.

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#3 The Suns snap their 18-game skid against the Warriors

The Suns had an 18-game skid against the Warriors

With their win over the Warriors, the Suns finally snapped their losing streak against Stephen Curry and the Warriors.

The Suns held the record for the longest active losing streak to a single opponent. The Warriors beat the Suns 18-straight games before their 115-111 loss. This was the first time since November 9, 2014 the Suns beat the Warriors.

They beat the Warriors 107-95 in 2014. The Suns' star player Devin Booker was not even with the Suns at that time. The Suns drafted Booker a year later. So, this gives an idea of how long it has been since the Suns beat the Warriors.

#2 Devin Booker's 17 points in the fourth quarter

Devin Booker was on fire in the 4th

Devin Booker is an undeniable talent. At 22 years old, Booker is a young player with great potential.

He is the star of the Suns and could become one of the best players in today's NBA. In a few years, Booker could be one of the NBA's elite players. He showed glimpses of that against the Warriors.

In their win over the Warriors, Booker scored 37 points. His contribution to the Suns helped them snap their losing streak against the Warriors.

He scored 13 straight points in the fourth quarter and scored 17 points overall in that quarter. Booker was clutch and took over the game when the Suns needed him to.

Booker was also 13 for 23 (56.5 percent) from the field, was 9 for 9 in free throws and nearly had a triple-double. He finished the game with 11 assists and 8 rebounds to go along with his 37 points.

The Suns also received contributions from DeAndre Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr. Ayton had 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Oubre had 22 points. The Suns' trio played well in this game and showed their true potential.

#1 Kevin Durant left the game with an injury

KD left the game with an ankle injury

In a game where Stephen Curry struggled, Durant picked up the slack. Curry finished the game with 18 points, but he struggled with his shooting. Curry was 6 of 20 from the field for a total of 30 percent.

He was also 4 of 15 from three-point range. He shot 26.7 percent from the 3-point line. This game was an uncharacteristic performance from Curry. Despite Curry's struggles, other Warrior players played well.

Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant made up for Curry's lackluster performance. Thompson finished the game with 28 points and Durant finished with 25.

Thompson played well in his second game back with the Warriors. He recently missed two games with a knee injury. Then, he came back on Friday. He scored 39 points in that game. The Warriors beat the Denver Nuggets 122-105.

Thompson has played well since his return. But, the Warriors may have to deal with another injury. Durant left Sunday's game with an ankle injury.

Durant exited the game midway through the fourth quarter. He intended to pass the ball to Shaun Livingston and landed awkwardly.

While in the air, he landed on DeAndre Ayton's foot and twisted his ankle. He walked off the court and headed to the locker room. He did not check back in.

Here’s video of the Kevin Durant right ankle turn via @NBCSWarriors. Same ankle he twisted vs Sixers. Went right to locker room. pic.twitter.com/p8EqTICydo

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2019

Prior to the injury, Durant was 9 of 17 from the field. He was one of the few Warriors who shot well from the field. Durant could have helped the Warriors towards the end of the game and led them to victory. But, he was unable to finish the game.

Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr says that his injury isn't serious, but it should still be monitored.

The Warriors cannot afford to lose one of their key players towards the end of the regular season. If Durant needs to rest, the Warriors should let him rest before the playoffs begin. It is not worth losing him.

The Warriors and Suns are in different situations. The Suns' win over them does not affect either team's season, but it was a confidence builder for the Suns.

Now, both the Suns and Warriors must finish their regular season and prepare for what's next for them.