Kevin Durant returned to the Phoenix lineup and the Suns immediately returned to winning ways.

Phoenix is ​​9-1 this season when Durant has been on the floor. The Suns will look to add another win to their tally when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

The Suns went 1-6, with Durant sidelined for seven games with a left calf strain.

Bradley Beal also returned after five games with a left calf strain. Phoenix lost all five games he missed.

But the duo teamed up with Devin Booker to score 72 points in a 127-100 win over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Booker had 26 points and 10 assists, while Durant and Beal each contributed 23 points.

“I like our work ethic,” Durant said afterwards. “I like the process we’re taking right now. Every day means something to us. As long as we continue to be healthy, we will be fine.”

The win was the first for Phoenix since defeating the Utah Jazz on November 12th. The energy level was higher in the eyes of Suns coach Mike Budenholzer.

“They’re two great players,” Budenholzer said of Durant and Beal. “The fact that they missed a significant amount of time and then came back and played the way they did is a credit to them and their professionalism, skill and talent.”

Booker was happy to see the other two players from Phoenix’s Big Three back on the court.

He said their presence made it easier to attack defenses.

“I try to pride myself on making the right plays, reading the defense and seeing what the defense is giving up,” Booker said. “When you have a super talented team with lots of options, we look clean every time. There are places in the game where I can support and that opens up more scoring opportunities.”

Phoenix outscored the Lakers 65-40 in the second half.

The Nets have won two games in a row and three of their last four.

Brooklyn had one of its most impressive victories of the season on Monday as it secured a 128-120 victory over the host Golden State Warriors.

The Nets trailed by 18 points in the third quarter before dominating the rest of the contest.

“It was an absolute team effort, shorthanded,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez said afterwards. “And these are great games.”

Cam Thomas scored 23 points before suffering a hamstring injury in the third quarter that caused him to sit out against the Suns. Cam Johnson injured his ankle in the first half and it is questionable whether he will be able to play against Phoenix, his former club.

Dennis Schroder, who was questionable about playing against Golden State because of a right ankle injury, led the team with 31 points and seven assists.

“I think the league knows it won’t be pretty if they play against us,” Schröder said. “So at the end of the day we will compete. It doesn’t matter who is on the field. We respect everyone, but when we stand between those lines we want to compete at the highest level. … That’s how we’re going to win games.”

Ziaire Williams (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Jalen Wilson (18 points, seven rebounds) also delivered strong performances.

Phoenix has won five of the last six meetings.

–Field level media