Suns Survive Wemby, Spurs 102-98 for First Preseason Win

Game flow holds up. San Antonio and Phoenix traded the lead six times before the Suns closed it out 102-98 on Oct. 10, building as much as a 15-point cushion while limiting the Spurs' biggest lead to two. It was Phoenix's first win of the preseason after road losses at Detroit and Chicago.

Kennard catches fire. Luke Kennard was the headline act, going 8-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-10 from three for 20 points in 25 minutes, a plus-11 showing. His night at the arc set the tone early and held up as San Antonio pushed back in the fourth quarter.

Maluach outduels Wemby. Rookie center Khaman Maluach held his own across from Victor Wembanyama, posting 10 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and a block in 23 minutes, a plus-14 that led both teams. Wembanyama finished 6-of-14 for 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists, but was on the floor for a minus-7.

Green stays efficient. Jalen Green added 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting with three 3-pointers and five assists in 29 minutes, finishing plus-12. It was his cleanest stat line of the three preseason games so far, with only three turnovers against five assists.

Bench closes it out. With the main group already out, Phoenix finished the game with Haywood Highsmith, Jamaree Bouyea, Maluach, Koa Peat and Koby Brea on the floor. Highsmith and Bouyea each finished minus-8 in 12 minutes, the two worst marks on the team, but the lead held up anyway.

Booker, Bridges rest up. Devin Booker was held out to rest, and Miles Bridges sat with an ankle issue; both are targeting the Oct. 14 rematch at San Antonio. Mark Williams has been out since a September shoulder surgery, with no timetable given.

Depth earns its minutes. None of the closing five — Highsmith, Bouyea, Maluach, Peat and Brea — earns anywhere close to Booker's $57.1 million salary or Green's $36.3 million. Phoenix is still $216.2 million in payroll, above the $200.4 million luxury-tax line, one reason low-cost rotation pieces matter in games like this.