The Sixers’ Paul George scored 15 points, but Kevin Durant led the Suns to a 118-116 victory.

PHOENIX — His first basket came just 18 seconds into the second quarter, lifting Paul George out of a slight slump in his first game of the season. His final basket came with 10:03 left in the game.

Despite a rough shooting night, the nine-time All-Star showed why the 76ers gave him, at age 34, a four-year, max-salary contract this summer.

His presence alone makes the Sixers an improved team.

While his presence was welcomed in his debut season, it did not help the Sixers lose their third game in a row. Monday night’s 118-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns dropped them to 1-5 heading into Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome. The game will be a homecoming for George, who spent the last five seasons with the Clippers.

In the fourth quarter, the Sixers created a seven-point cushion. But with 1 minute 40 seconds to play, their lead was reduced to one point. Then Kevin Durant’s shot with one minute left gave Phoenix a 116-115 lead.

Tyrese Maxey split a pair of penalties to seal the score. But Durant, who scored a game-high 35 points for the Suns (6-1), answered with a layup to make it 118-116 with 24 seconds left.

George missed a 23-foot jumper with 3.1 seconds left, and then Maxey missed a 3-pointer in time at the buzzer.

George finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in 31:32 of playing time after missing the first five games with a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise on Oct. 14. making 4 of 14 shots, including 1 of 5 three-pointers. But George demonstrated all the intangibles.

And his presence made life easier for Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 32 points on his 24th birthday. Kyle Lowry (13 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (11 points) and Gershon Yabusele (19 points) were the other double-digit scorers. Yabusele, who made five 3-pointers, finished the game at center in place of Andre Drummond.

It’s too early to go

The Suns called a timeout with 6:53 left in the first quarter. George was visibly tired as he walked to the bench. He had zero points at the time, but missed both of his shot attempts with turnovers.

He was replaced by Eric Gordon. But minute limits have always been common.

“I think he’s feeling good,” Nick Nurse said before the game. “I think we need to try to implement more of a preparation aspect. Try not to take it too far into the red zone ahead of time. Try to keep these deadlines a little shorter in the early stages, especially”

George returned to the game at the 3:00 mark, replacing Maxey. Eight seconds later he was called for a foul, and less than a minute later he received a second foul. George missed his third and fourth shot attempts on the ensuing possessions, then turned the ball over on the next possession. He finished the quarter with zero points on 0-of-5 shooting and two turnovers.

After scoring his first goal early in the second quarter, George picked up his third foul moments later and had to go to the bench. He returned 5:40 before intermission.

George scored his second basket with 1:44 left in the half. It came on an acrobatic layup when he was fouled by Bradley Beal. He also hit a free throw to put the Sixers up 61-58.

Finding the rhythm

Finding his rhythm, George hit a 3-pointer on the next possession. At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, he started a pair of Sixers attacks, grabbing defensive rebounds, pushing the tempo in the high court and leading his team into their sets.

He scored 10 points in the second quarter on 3-of-4 shooting and grabbed three defensive rebounds.

“His ability to score at all three levels,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said of how George’s presence helps the Sixers. “His ball skills combined with his 6-8 inches and ability to kind of create separation off the dribble. And also… a great guy who takes pin-downs and gets off screens.”

Budenholzer talked about athleticism and raring to get to the paint and finish there, get to the foul line and get early 3-pointers in transition.

“I think he’s just a unique, gifted player,” he said. “It looks like he can do everything offensively. And he can also fit into the flow of the team. He kind of picks his spots and seems like a great teammate. He’s just been one of the greatest players in our league for a long time.”

The early rust was completely gone in the third quarter. George excelled on both sides of the ball and was a leader. But as part of his minutes restriction, he went to the bench after the break at 4:55. But the Sixers stayed in the game before he came back with 26.0 left in the third quarter, thanks in large part to Maxey’s 13 third-quarter points. The Suns finished in fourth place with a 94–93 lead.

Joel Embiid remains sidelined for what the Sixers call treatment for a left knee injury.