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Not on Devin Booker’s watch.

The two-time All-Star scored 21 of his season-high 43 points in the third quarter in leading Phoenix past Minnesota, 118-99, Sunday at Target Center.

Booker scored seven straight points in a decisive 10-2 run to close the third as the Suns led, 86-76, to start the fourth. His burst of points came after finding Cam Johnson for a corner 3 that began the run.

All but three of Booker’s 21 points in the quarter came after banging his elbow on Josh Okogie as he posted his first 40-point game of the season. 

Then with Booker on the bench to start the fourth, Phoenix (22-11) went on a 11-1 run to take a 97-77 lead Chris Paul capped with a 3.

Deandre Ayton added 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 11 rebounds. Dario Saric added 13 off the bench after missing Friday’s win at Chicago with a right ankle sprain and fellow All-Star Chris Paul added 11 points and 15 assists. 

Rookie Anthony Edwards led Minnesota (7-28) with 24 points while Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 as the Timberwolves have lost eight straight. This was the second of a back-to-back for Minnesota after Saturday’s 16-point loss at Washington.

Phoenix will conclude its three-game road trip Tuesday at defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers (24-11), who blasted Golden State, 117-91, Sunday at home. 

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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