Bradley Beal scores 43 points in return to Washington as Suns roll past Wizards, 140-112

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bradley Beal scored a season-high 43 points in his return to Washington and the Phoenix Suns routed the Wizards 140-112 on Sunday.

Beal played 11 seasons before being dealt to Phoenix last offseason. He received a video tribute and standing ovation during player introductions before the game. Then he scored 26 points in the first half.

He had 41 after three quarters and then exited for good with 8:44 to play.

Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic scored 18 points apiece for Phoenix, and Devin Booker had 14. The Suns went 4-3 on a seven-game trip.

Deni Avdija had 24 points for the Wizards. They were without Kyle Kuzma because of left shoulder soreness.

Beal scored 14 of Phoenix's 42 first-quarter points, but the Wizards kept it competitive for a little while. They trailed by 11 in the second before an 11-2 run by the Suns made it 74-54.

It was 79-58 at halftime, with the Suns having shot 69% from the field. They finished the game at 61.4%, with Beal going 16 of 21.

Beal's layup early in the third quarter prompted a quick timeout by Washington, just 54 seconds into the half. The lead reached 32 early in the fourth.

Although Washington could do nothing to slow down the Suns until their stars left the game, the Wizards did shoot 49.5% themselves. But they were only 7 of 32 from 3-point range.

Daniel Gafford scored 15 points on 7-for-7 shooting for the Wizards.

Beal played 31:01 and was the only person to reach 28 minutes for either team. Thirteen players scored for Phoenix.

UP NEXT

Suns: Host Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

Wizards: At Cleveland on Wednesday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba