Friday night’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans got a little more uncomfortable than anyone in Phoenix probably wanted. When you remember that New Orleans sits with only 20 wins on the season, it is easy to squint at parts of that game and feel a flicker of concern.
I view it through a slightly different lens. To me, it looked like a game about progression. Another step in the slow process of integrating Jalen Green into what this team is trying to do. And for large stretches, he looked far more
controlled, far more efficient, and far more aware of how the offense is supposed to breathe. The scoring came naturally. The drives were purposeful. The decision-making felt calmer.
Sure, there were still moments where the ball stuck. And I will admit something here, I might be watching him a little too closely at this point. When a new player arrives, especially one with his reputation and his upside, the brain locks onto every possession like a hawk circling above the desert floor. You notice every hesitation, every extra dribble, and every moment where the rhythm pauses. That might be a me problem.
Zoom out though, and the team accomplished several things at once on Friday night. Despite the injuries still hovering around the roster like stubborn rain clouds, the Suns found a way to push forward. The rookies received legitimate run, and they contributed. Khaman Maluach swatted five shots, protecting the rim like a kid discovering his superpower. Rasheer Fleming knocked down a pair of threes and looked comfortable doing it.
And the offense finally woke up.
Phoenix scored 118 points, which happens to be their highest total in nearly a month. The last time they reached that number was February 10 against the Dallas Mavericks in a 120-111 win. So there is tangible progress when you talk about offensive production. The ball moved better, the pace felt healthier, and the scoreboard reflected it.
There is one piece of the equation that raises an eyebrow, though. The three-point volume.
Out of 90 total shot attempts, 58 came from beyond the arc. That is 64.4% of their offense coming from the perimeter. That number also happens to be the highest three-point volume in franchise history.
Think about that for a second.
Devin Booker launched 12 of them. Collin Gillespie fired up 11. Jalen Green took nine. Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen each let eight fly. The Suns have clearly leaned into the modern math of the league. Space the floor, pull the trigger, live with the results.
Thankfully, the results were good enough this time. Phoenix knocked down 20 of those attempts, good for 34.5% from deep. I do not know if a diet where nearly two-thirds of your shots come from three is the cleanest recipe for long-term stability, especially when the conversion rate hovers in the mid-thirties.
Although on Friday night it was enough. Enough to survive. Enough to close the door. Enough to walk away with a two-point win over the Pelicans and keep the slow march forward alive.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Welcome to the leaderboard, Amir Coffey! He was one of the few bright spots against the Bulls, and in going 2-of-2 from deep, he earns his first Bright Side Baller of the season.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 63 against the Pelicans. Here are your nominees:
Devin Booker
32 points (10-of-21, 5-of-12 3PT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, +1 +/-
Jalen Green
25 points (8-of-17, 3-of-9 3PT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, +3 +/-
Grayson Allen
12 points (4-of-10, 2-of-8 3PT), 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 1 turnover, +1 +/-
Oso Ighodaro
13 points (5-of-7), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, +2 +/-
Collin Gillespie
12 points (4-of-12, 4-of-11 3PT), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -9 +/-
Royce O’Neale
11 points (4-of-9, 3-of-8 3PT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, -7 +/-
Time to vote.
