Don’t be surprised to see the Suns rising as the second half of the regular season unfolds. They have all the pieces to be much better than what their current record indicates.

Ivica Zubac, James Harden and Norman Powell again lead the Clippers, who use a 10-0 surge to pull within one point with 40.4 seconds left, but the Suns hold on for a 111-109 win.

The Phoenix Suns (24-21) had a 111-109 home win against their Pacific Division rival Los Angeles Clippers (26-20) on Monday.

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant took charge in the fourth quarter to lead the Phoenix Suns past a gritty Los Angeles Clippers, 111-109. Booker scored 26 points (9-21 FG), seven rebounds and eight assists to lead Phoenix.

Devin Booker scored 26 points, Kevin Durant added 24 and the surging Phoenix Suns survived a late scare for a 111-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

Devin Booker and Grayson Allen added five points each, followed by Royce O’Neale with three points. Clippers big man Ivica Zubac had a strong start, scoring eight points and getting Suns center ...

PHOENIX (AP) Devin Booker scored 26 points ... making 46.8% of its shots from long range. Ivica Zubac had 25 points and 16 rebounds for the Clippers. James Harden added 24 points and 10 assists ...

The league is as rich with talent as it has ever been. Someone was bound to get snubbed. But one stands out above the rest.

Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) Anthony Davis (Lakers) Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) James Harden (Clippers) Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies) Alperen Sengun (Rockets) Jalen Williams (Thunder)

Powell prognosticated before the season started that other players could step up and fill the void left by Paul George. He backed that up by turning into one of the league's premier tough shot-makers. He's hit a scorching 43.5 percent of his 3's this year and come up with some huge buckets to help them to their No. 6 standing in the West.

These were my selections Monday, when I was musing about potential All-Star reserve selections in NBA Rewind: The toughest snubs for me in the East were LaMelo Ball, the unhealthy forwards from the Magic and either Nikola Vučević or Jarrett Allen for a frontcourt spot.

Gilgeous-Alexander logged the second 50-point effort of his career. He put up 54 in a home win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 22. Gilgeous-Alexander, who singlehandedly outscored the Warriors in the first quarter with a 21-point performance, finished 16-for-29 from the field. He padded his point total with an 18-for-21 night at the free-throw line.