Devin Booker waited until the final minute to deliver Phoenix’s biggest shot. His step-back three-pointer with 23.8 seconds left gave the Suns a six-point lead, and Phoenix held on for a 101-96 win over Charlotte on Thursday. The Suns entered at 4-6, trying to build on a recent surge. The Hornets arrived at 4-7 after a big win over Cleveland, hoping their rebounding strength could travel to the desert.

Charlotte grabbed 51 rebounds and 15 on the offensive end, creating extra chances after its own misses. But the Hornets also turned the ball over 25 times. Phoenix turned those mistakes into momentum, protecting the ball with only seven turnovers and making the crucial plays late.

The Hornets struck first with Coby White’s driving layups and an alley-oop dunk by forward Diabate. Booker answered quickly, hitting a three-pointer and setting up Dillon Brooks. After White drilled a deep pull-up to put Charlotte ahead 15-10, Phoenix found its rhythm. Booker hit a fadeaway, Jalen Green made three free throws, and then Green buried a three. Booker’s long three-pointer helped send Phoenix into the second quarter ahead 28-22.

Phoenix pushed its lead to 44-29 in the second quarter. Guard Gillespie hit two three-pointers, and guard Goodwin added another after a Hornets turnover. Charlotte did not fold. Naz Reid scored inside, and forward Williams hit a three plus a free throw during a 16-6 response. The Suns still carried a 55-50 lead into halftime when center Maluach finished a pass from Booker at the rim.

Charlotte’s rebound work became a giant problem for Phoenix after halftime. Diabate grabbed two offensive boards on one trip before tipping in a basket, and the Hornets soon moved ahead 60-59 on Grayson Allen’s three-pointer. White scored 21 points and kept attacking, while guard Anderson knocked down three third-quarter threes. His final pair of free throws gave Charlotte a 76-72 lead after three quarters.

Then Phoenix’s supporting cast steadied the story before Booker finished it. Forward Bridges completed a three-point play to open the fourth, and Gillespie’s pull-up gave the Suns a 77-76 lead. Luke Kennard scored six fourth-quarter points, including two smooth midrange jumpers, as Phoenix moved ahead 87-82.

Booker then took over the closing minutes. He hit a 19-foot fadeaway, stole an errant pass, and watched Brooks bury a three for a 92-86 lead. Reid answered with a three to cut it to 92-89, but Booker floated in a short shot and then drilled the game’s defining long ball. He finished with 30 points, seven assists, and three steals, guiding Phoenix through every late twist.

Charlotte made one final push when Royce O’Neale completed a four-point play, but Booker stole another pass and sank two free throws. Phoenix improved to 5-6 and next faces the Lakers, carrying proof that clean decisions can beat a major rebound gap. Charlotte fell to 4-8 and heads to meet the Clippers, needing to pair its hard work on the glass with sharper passing.

Devin Booker’s Late Three Lifts Suns Past Hornets