UNDATED (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have set a club record for consecutive victories by winning a matchup of the NBA’s two best teams.
Deandre Ayton scored 24 points and the Suns claimed their 17th consecutive win by knocking off the Warriors, 104-96. Chris Paul added 15 points and 11 assists, for the Suns, who also won 17 straight during the 2006-07 season.
The Suns won despite losing star guard Devin Booker to a left hamstring injury in the second quarter. He had 10 points and two rebounds in 15 minutes.
Jordan Poole led Golden State with 28 points, but Stephen Curry managed just 12 points on 4 of 21 shooting.
Both teams are 18-3.
Checking out Tuesday’s other NBA action:
— Brooklyn coughed up a 16-point lead before James Johnson made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to give the Nets a 112-110 victory over the Knicks. Harden had 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Durant heated up after a slow start to finish with 27 points and nine assists in Brooklyn’s 13th win in 16 games.
— Anthony Davis scored 25 points, Russell Westbrook added 23 and the Lakers overcame the absence of LeBron James to slam the Kings, 117-92. The Lakers sent James home earlier in the day after he was placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocol.
— Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points and Desmond Bane had 23 as the Grizzlies dumped the Raptors, 98-91. Bane made five 3-pointers and Jackson had four for the Grizzlies, who never trailed and led by as many as 17 points in their second straight win.
— CJ McCollum had 28 points as the Trail Blazers handed the Pistons their seventh straight loss, 110-92. Ben McLemore had 17 points off the bench after appearing in just six games for Portland this season.
Bucks sign Cousins
UNDATED (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins will attempt to boost a Milwaukee Bucks frontcourt that’s missing injured center Brook Lopez. The Bucks announced Tuesday they have signed the 31-year-old, four-time All-Star.
Lopez hasn’t played since a season-opening victory over the Nets because of a back injury.
Cousins played a combined 41 games with the Rockets and Clippers last season, averaging 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 17.4 minutes.
