Turnovers costly in Suns one-point loss to the Kings

The Phoenix Suns have concluded their preseason with a 1-3 record, falling to the Sacramento Kings by one solitary point at Footprint Center on Wednesday night.

The final five minutes may have been disappointing, but the undermanned Suns squad otherwise battled manfully throughout the contest. Phoenix were without their usual five starters, along with Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet and Dario Saric.

The Phoenix Suns were left to rue turnovers and poor perimeter shooting in the 105-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings in their final preseason game.

With almost all their key players out, Monty Williams turned to a starting lineup of Duane Washington Jr., Josh Okogie, Damion Lee, Torrey Craig and Jock Landale.

After Sacramento scored seven points in the opening 65 seconds, Phoenix turned up their defensive intensity in a way not witnessed this preseason. The opening half was attitudinal — each player had rotational minutes to play for, and in the case of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, a potential roster spot on the line.

Sacramento were minus Keegan Murray and Richaun Holmes, but they held a distinct talent advantage at almost every moment of the opening three periods. Yet they looked to be going through the motions, playing like a team content with their two previous preseason wins.

The Suns applied enough pressure to force 12 sloppy Kings turnovers, also keeping them to less than 40% shooting from the floor. Jock Landale was giving Domantas Sabonis fits, almost as if it were the crescendo to his startling preseason campaign.

The Australian had a remarkable 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and four blocks in the first half — Just an astonishing impact from a player who few fans recognised just a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile Duane Washington Jr. was performing his best Chris Paul impression, shaking off the disappointing conclusion to the Nuggets loss. The jumpshot looked smooth, before he began penetrating into the paint and setting up the likes of Landale and Bismack Biyombo. The 22-year-old was providing just enough juice to a Suns offense that was otherwise bereft of shot-creation.

But for all their hard work, Phoenix let themselves down with a disappointing final two minutes. After trailing 55-41, Sacramento went on a 13-2 run to close the half with a three-point deficit.

Perhaps it was a sign of the Suns physical fatigue that leaked into the third, ultimately contributing to a stagnant offense that looked more like one most would have expected given…