The Phoenix Suns have had to bench a starter from earlier in the season, and he's had a strong reaction to the change.

Led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Western Conference's eighth-place Suns have played well in January, winning seven of their last nine, and are 8-4 overall this month. The Clippers are sixth in the West standings, led by veteran stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, plus their top scorer this season Norman Powell.

Jones produced 17 points (6-10 FG, 5-8 3Pt), five rebounds and four assists across 28 minutes during Monday's 111-109 win over the Clippers.

Devin Booker scored a game-high 26 points, Kevin Durant dropped 24 and Grayson Allen contributed 18 off the bench to lead the Suns to a third straight victory. Tyus Jones scored 17 as he and Booker each hit five 3s.

The Phoenix Suns (22-21) begin their three-game homestand against the lowly Washington Wizards (6-37) on Saturday.

One became the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer in his 11 seasons there before clearing the way for a blockbuster trade to the Phoenix Suns that involved Chris Paul. The other only had a career year in his one season with the franchise yet joined the Suns as a free agent last summer.

Of course, the Suns were expected to be one of the top teams in the West this season due to their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Instead, they have struggled, which has already made them make some moves to upgrade their roster.

Jones racked up nine points (1-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, 10 assists and three steals over 31 minutes during Thursday's 130-123 victory over Washington.

Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones will face their former team ... in his first return game against Washington last year. All things Suns: Latest Phoenix Suns news, schedule, roster, stats, injury ...

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Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts to a foul call on Monday at Target Center during a victory over Atlanta. Edwards is likely to be named an NBA All-Star on Wednesday. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minneso

Phoenix Suns' Royce O'Neale had 11 points and the team-high four steals as a starter in their 111-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.