Phoenix Suns clinch NBA Western Conference top spot before playoffs

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - The Phoenix Suns on Thursday secured the NBA Western Conference number one seed before the 2022 playoffs that will start in mid-April.

The Suns earned a 140-130 victory over the Denver Nuggets as Phoenix star Devin Booker scored season-high 49 points to contribute to his team's 60th win in the 2021-22 regular season.

Booker also made 10 assists to become the key player for the Suns' win at Denver's Ball Arena.

Suns forward Mikal Bridges scored 22 points for his team.

Chris Paul -- a Suns playmaker guard -- was absent for 15 games due to a broken right wrist but returned to the game on Thursday night to post a double-double.

Paul scored 17 points and made 13 assists.

The Suns extended their winning streak to seven games in NBA. They have a 60-14 win/loss record.

The Nuggets were led by Serbian center Nikola Jokic, who scored 28 points against the Suns.

Bones Hyland tallied 23 points for the Denver.

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon added 21 points.

The Nuggets were leading the game 106-104 by the end of the third quarter, however, in the fourth quarter the Phoenix scored 36 points and home team Denver had 24.

The 2022 NBA playoffs will begin on April 16.

- Memphis clinch playoff spot

Second-place Memphis Grizzlies qualified for the 2022 playoffs after beating the Indiana Pacers 133-103.

The Grizzlies are on 51-23 to pursue West leaders Suns.

The winning team were without their star Ja Morant as the 22-year-old guard could not play since March 18 due to a sore knee.

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed that Morant is expected to be out for at least two weeks.

Desmond Bane was the Memphis' highest scorer in the game as the shooting guard clocked up 30 points.

Pacers' Lance Stephenson bagged 25 points.

The Pacers are in 13th place in the East standings with 25 wins and 49 losses. Due to their regular season performance, they cannot have a seed in the play-in.

The top six teams of both conferences will directly qualify for the 2022 playoffs, where they will be joined by two each from both sides after a play-in tournament for those finishing seventh through 10th in the regular season.

The playoffs are scheduled to start on April 16, with 16 teams in the running for the 2021-22 NBA title.

- Results:

Toronto Raptors - Cleveland Cavaliers: 117-104

Memphis Grizzlies - Indiana Pacers: 133-103

Milwaukee Bucks - Washington Wizards: 114-102

New Orleans Pelicans - Chicago Bulls: 126-109

Denver Nuggets - Phoenix Suns: 130-140