PHOENIX – Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their 12th straight victory, a 117-89 win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
Leonard, selected as an All-Star starter for first time in his career earlier in the day, scored eight of his points in the third quarter for San Antonio. Boban Marjanovic added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Jonathon Simmons had 13 points.
Having already tied the best start in franchise history, the Spurs moved to 37-6 and kept pace with the 2010-11 team, which also had a 37-6 mark. They got 66 points from their bench.
The Spurs cruised despite missing starters Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Parker had right hip soreness and Duncan was given the night off to rest.
Devin Booker’s 24 points led the Suns, who lost their sixth straight and 15th in 16 games. Archie Goodwin added 20 points and Tyson Chandler grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds.
In other results, the Cleveland Cavaliers clipped the Los Angeles Clippers, 115-102; New Orleans thumped Detroit, 115-99; Memphis edged Denver, 102-101; and Sacramento stunned Atlanta, 91-88.
Back in Phoenix, the Suns were down to only nine available players to start the game, with starting guard Brandon Knight out due to an abductor strain. Forwards Mirza Teletovic (sprained ankle), Jon Leuer (back spasms) and Markieff Morris (shoulder strain) – all injured before or during Tuesday’s loss to Indiana – also did not play.
All nine played Thursday, but forward P.J. Tucker took a shot to the chest midway through the first quarter trying to defend a drive by Leonard and didn’t return due to a contusion.
The Spurs led by as many as 18 points in the first half after a layup by David West with 6:08 left in the second quarter.