Suns dominant in victory over Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS — Trade deadline Thursday drained them emotionally.
Losing Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson hurt. Like really, really hurt.
Then they took one on the chin at Atlanta and traveled to Indiana for the second of a back-to-back, but Suns coach Monty Williams was talking about going to Indianapolis to close out a five-game road trip with a win. Mission accomplished.
The Phoenix Suns led by as many 26 points and never trailed in topping the Pacers, 117-104, Friday night before 16,522 fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They finished 4-1 on the road trip.
Deandre Ayton paced the Suns (3127) with 24 points and 11 rebounds after grabbing only two rebounds Thursday. This was his first game against the Pacers since they delivered that fouryear, $133-million offer sheet the Suns matched to keep him.
Ayton was out with non-COVID illness when the Suns defeated Indiana at home last month.
Devin Booker scored 21 points on 7of-18 shooting in 26 minutes in his second game back after missing 21 games with a left groin strain while Chris Paul posted 19 points and nine assists.
All five Suns starters reached double figures with Josh Okogie going for 17 points and Torrey Craig adding 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds against his former team.
Here are five takeaways as Phoenix won’t play again until Feb. 14 against Sacramento at Footprint Center.
Safe than sorry
Williams watched Indiana (25-32) cut that 26-point lead early in the fourth down to 16 with Ayton, Paul and Booker on the bench.
Timeout. Paul and Booker reenter with 4:50 left in the game.
Twenty-four seconds later, Ayton returned.
Williams talked about the rotations not being normal with Booker on minute restriction and playing Ayton deep into the third. However, the Suns bench continues to be hit or miss.
As dynamic as the starting lineup should be with Kevin Durant, Booker, Paul, Ayton, the Suns still need the bench to do its part. Having Cameron Payne (foot) and Landry Shamet (foot) back will improve the depth, but the Suns will have just 22 games left when they come out of the All-Star break.
That seems like a lot of time, but is it really to determine a rotation for the playoffs?
Without Bridges and Johnson
The Suns literally played their first game without Bridges since he came into the league in 2018. The guy has never missed a game in his NBA career. That’s insane on both fronts. So weird to watch the Suns without him. Not seeing his 3-ball sign. That big smile.
Having that same bounce in his stride even after 40 minutes of work in the second of a back-to-back.
The Suns are getting Durant, one of the best players on the planet, in return and everyone knows that, but right now, they’re without another guy who can get score, defend and get his own shot.
Paul was more aggressive looking for his shot as he went 7-of-18 from the field when Bridges had developed into that dude who could not only score off the bounce, but he could make plays.
Johnson hadn’t had as many opportunities to show that playmaking skill due to missing 37 games with the torn right meniscus, but he’s a knockdown shooter.
Okogie and Ish Wainright filled that void in hitting five total 3s. Wainright scored 13 off the bench before fouling out, but Johnson was shooting a career-best 45.5% from deep.
Big difference.
Williams said playing Okogie, Craig and Wainright is a way to replace the defensive ability of Bridges.
Makes sense, but it just shows how good Bridges is on that side of the floor. Durant can defend, is clearly the better player, but Bridges is a defender.
Booker back: Game 2
He’s moving fine.
Don’t see any limitations there, but his moves don’t have that force and energy Booker usually displays. Looking more like pregame Booker instead of in-game Booker in terms of his pace of play.
Had a stretch when he hit back-toback 3s early in the second quarter to give Phoenix a nine-point lead, but just didn’t get in a consistent rhythm.
Booker didn’t play Thursday at Atlanta.
He looks like someone trying to feel his way through it while on a minute restriction and being on the floor with not-as-familiar faces starting with two-way player Saben Lee.
Durant debut
With the right MCL sprain, Durant isn’t expected to make his Phoenix debut until after All-Star break as he’s not playing in the Feb. 19 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.
T.J. Warren and Darius Bazley should be available to play Tuesday against Sacramento.
Warren is a human bucket who isn’t the best defender while Bazley is a live big who has potential. Warren will likely see minutes first while Bazley may have a tougher time because Williams doesn’t like playing more than two bigs.
Right now, Ayton starts, Jock Landale has been his backup of late with Bismack Biyombo getting spot minutes. Williams played Dario Saric and Landale together as Saric can space the floor.
So, Warren could get some action at the four, but Bazley is shooting 40% from 3.
Warren is at 33.3%.
Fifth guy?
Four of the five starters are already etched in stone.
Who will be that fifth starter? Depends.
With Durant at the 3, Craig seems like the ideal fit at the four because he can get on the glass, particularly on the offensive end.
Extra possessions lead to those Durant dagger 3s. Plus, Craig is shooting a career-best 39.5% from deep.
If Durant is at the four, Okogie could work at the three because he can attack the paint, plays physical and can defend multiple positions.
He went 3-of-5 from 3 Friday, but Okogie is at 29.4%.
Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.