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Ayton Has 20 Points And 16 rebounds, Suns Rout Wizards

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Deandre Ayton had 20 points and 16 rebounds in an efficient 24 minutes and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns rebounded from a streak-ending loss to beat the short-handed Washington Wizards 95-80 on Saturday night.

Ayton, playing his third game since returning from a sprained right ankle, and the Suns bounced back from a loss Thursday night at Atlanta that ended their 11-game winning streak.

Phoenix led by 25 before the midpoint of the second quarter, 27 at half and 36 in the third quarter. The Wizards set offensive season lows — and the Suns defensive bests — for points in a quarter (11 in the second), half (33 in the first) and game.

Chris Paul added 14 points and nine assists for Phoenix, Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges each scored 12 points, and Devin Booker had 11. At 42-10, the Suns moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Golden State for the league lead.

Montrezl Harrell scored 15 points for Washington, and Aaron Holiday had 11. The Wizards have lost seven of eight as they fight to stay in condition for a play-in spot. Three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal sat out because of a left wrist injury.

After trailing 8-2, Phoenix outscored the Wizards 46-15 during a run that stretched into the second quarter, coming to an end when Johnson's baseline feed from Paul made it 48-23. Washington trailed by at least 21 until late in the fourth quarter.

TRAVELING HOME COACH

Suns coach Monty Williams grew up in nearby Oxon Hill, Maryland, and had a group of family and friends in attendance. He said that coaching in your hometown is different than playing in it.

"When you're playing, you want to play well in front of your family. When you coach, I want to coach well for my team," the Suns coach said. "I'm not coaching well for my family because they don't even know what I'm doing, if it is deemed '(coaching) well.' They're just happy to see you."

AYTON'S PLACE

Ayton played fewer than 30 minutes for a third consecutive game after missing seven with his injury, but this time it was due to game circumstance and not load management.

"At this point, we're going to start playing him his normal minutes so he can get back into a groove," Williams said pregame.

TIP-INS

Suns: Committed their first turnover on JaVale McGee's errant pass with 10:20 to play in the second quarter. ... McGee received a technical with 2:05 left in the third quarter. He had 10 rebounds.

Wizards: Have lost their last five at home and have been held under 100 points in four of their last six overall ... C Thomas Bryant started after missing a victory Wednesday night in Philadelphia because of a sprained ankle.

(© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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