The Phoenix Suns kept their hopes alive for advancing beyond the group stage in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament by securing a crucial victory against the Portland Trail Blazers with a final score of 120-107 at Footprint Center on Tuesday.

With this win, Phoenix improved their tournament record to 2-1, avoiding potential elimination and staying in contention for further advancement. Kevin Durant’s impressive 14 points in the opening quarter set the tone for the Suns, giving them a 34-21 lead after the first 12 minutes. Although the Trail Blazers made runs to keep the game competitive, the Suns managed to create some distance late in the game, with Durant contributing 31 points, Devin Booker adding 28, and Jusuf Nurkic scoring 18 points with 12 rebounds.

The Suns started the tournament with a 1-1 record, suffering a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (who entered Tuesday with a perfect 3-0 record) and securing a win against the Utah Jazz (2-1). The Lakers, holding a 27-point lead against the Jazz with the group’s top spot on the line, were still playing when the Suns finished their game against the Trail Blazers.

In the tournament format, NBA teams were divided into three groups of five in each conference. The group winners and one wild card from each conference advance to the knockout rounds. The Suns are currently chasing the Minnesota Timberwolves, who held the top wild card spot with a 2-0 record before Tuesday’s games.

The Suns’ group included the Lakers, Jazz, Trail Blazers, and Memphis Grizzlies. A loss for the Suns combined with a Utah win over the Lakers would have mathematically eliminated Phoenix, but they managed to avoid that scenario with their victory over the Trail Blazers.

With Portland’s elimination, the Suns now have one more crucial game in group play on Friday against the Grizzlies, who have already been knocked out. The final spot in the Western Conference could potentially come down to point differential, which is the next tiebreaker after head-to-head record. The Suns currently have a +13 point differential entering their last group-stage game.