Game 82 of the season, a game that generally means nothing. It meant something for plenty of teams in the Eastern Conference on Sunday, but everything was already decided for both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns. So there isn’t much to take away from a game like this unless you’re a Suns sicko. That’s what I am. That’s what you are if you’re reading this.
While the second season begins on Tuesday for the Suns, there were still some interesting things to see as the regular season came
to a close. Many of the young players who were part of that 25-point second-half debacle against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday were given more opportunity on Sunday against the Thunder. And they took advantage of it.
You might not take much from that performance, but those players will. Their coaches will too. When the season ends and the offseason regimens begin, there are real takeaways from what they showed on Sunday.
On Friday, the youth movement looked disorganized and passive. On Sunday, they looked engaged and aggressive. That’s what I’m taking from the final game. The team, and especially the youth movement, showed some promise, even if it came against the Third Team Thunder. I’ll take 135 points to end the season every time.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
It was a disgusting showing against the Lakers, but not by Oso!
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 82 against the Thunder. Here are your nominees:
Jamaree Bouyea
27 points (12-of-23, 3-of-8 3PT), 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 2 blocks, +37 +/-
Ryan Dunn
20 points (8-of-11, 2-of-3 3PT), 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 1 block, +22 +/-
Koby Brea
20 points (7-of-11, 6-of-9 3PT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, +13 +/-
Khaman Maluach
18 points (8-of-15, 2-of-5 3PT), 14 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, +14 +/-
Amir Coffey
17 points (7-of-14, 3-of-6 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, +20 +/-
Rasheer Fleming
16 points (6-of-13, 4-of-7 3PT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +20 +/-
Your final vote of the 2025-26 regular season…
