The Suns looked to capitalize on this game and secure a much-needed victory, but fell short in Charlotte, splitting the season series with a 127-107 loss. In this one, it was a hot start offensively in the first that kept them in the lead, but not finding that spark back, especially from three, cost them this one. The team was led by Jalen Green, who had 25 points and continued to showcase his ability to attack the rim while also making some needed threes. Devin Booker was also hot in the first,
scoring 9 easy points and not missing, and eventually finished with 22.
The Suns did pull the plug early, though, and turnovers were a significant issue despite their few. With only twelve turnovers, they allowed 17 points off those turnovers, swinging the momentum to the Hornets. Not to mention the Suns were outrebounded 47-30 in this one, allowing the Hornets to capitalize on so many extra second-chance points.
They were led by Miles Bridges, who also had 25 points and was scoring from all three levels. It did not help that the Suns, who made seven threes in the first quarter, had only nine more in the remaining three quarters. Coby White was also a big contributor for Charlotte with 19 off the bench.
Game Flow
First Half
The Suns and Hornets kicked this one off with a hot start offensively as both teams came out of the gates on sniping shots. Collin Gillespie got it started for the team, making his first shot, while Devin Booker had some big shots and once again seemed to be on this tear like he has been this road trip. Even Jalen Green was attacking the basket and using his speed to find some easy layups at the hoop.
The Hornets did have some runs of their own, bringing it close and even taking a lead at one point. Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller did have a 10-2 run on their own, where Miller and Booker were saying some words to each other on both ends.
That being said, this is where Dillon Brooks showed that with time, he would fit seemingly right back in. He had a mini run himself, finding his rhythm on offense, which was great compared to his return from injury. The Hornets were able to climb back a bit, but the Suns lead after the first 41-33. In a game where matching the Hornets’ offense is key, the Suns are actively showing they can do that (61% from the field and 64% from three).
In the second quarter, the offense cooled off a bit, but the Suns still found ways to attack the Hornets, specifically with Jalen Green. His burst was too much for the Hornets’ defense as he continued to find baskets and get to double-digit points.
The Suns also saw a franchise record broken this quarter, as Collin Gillespie made his 227th three-pointer and now stands alone with the most threes made in a season. He passed Quentin Richardson for this spot, and for someone who started as a two -way player, it is a great story for all Suns fans to celebrate with.
Yet the Hornets were down but not out of the count. Even with the Suns making seven threes in the first quarter alone, the Hornets started to find their rhythm from behind the arc. Coby White now joined Bridges and Miller, attacking the Suns’ offense and closed out on a 9-0 run to lead 66-60 at half.
Even if the Suns lost the last few minutes, both Booker and Green are striving to combine for 32 of the team’s 60 points. Their dominance as of late has shown and proven that this duo can work and continues to do so; the Suns have to close out on the Hornets’ threes better. For Charlotte, both Miller and White lead the team with 12 each.
Second Half
The Hornets kept the momentum from the end of the first half rolling into the second half with an 11-4 run early. Miller and Bridges continue to find ways to score while the ball keeps rolling out, just like the last Booker three. This run brought Charlotte’s halftime six-point lead to a 13-point lead.
Phoenix’s head coach, Jordan Ott, also got a technical foul for getting mad over a wrongly made call by the officials. They claimed Oso ighodaro caused an interference on the basket, but instead, it was Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate that did so. This was challenged and then reversed in the Suns’ favor, but it cost them a point due to the officials’ ignorance.
The Suns did try to match it with some points of their own, with Brooks making back-to-back threes, but the Hornets were just red hot. Once again, Bridges continued his onslaught, now with 11 of his 23 points in the third alone, scoring from every level. That, combined with the Hornets making key plays on the Suns’ few turnovers, keeps them in the lead.
Sadly, as things could not get worse, the Suns also lost Jordan Goodwin in this one. He was already coming into this one after tweaking his hip late in Orlando and was seen limping to the locker room before the end of the third. That, with some more Hornets made threes, pushed the lead to 15 for Charlotte, 102-87 after three.
Unfortunately, in this final frame, the Suns were missing that spark to start. The Hornets continued to pile on the points, and even when the Suns matched them, they were not getting stops. It also does not help that the Suns are getting outrebounded, with Ryan Kalkbrenner being a big factor for the Hornets.
Jalen Green did try flipping that switch, making back-to-back threes, but once again the Hornets were not shy away on offense. Mark Williams did get involved here late, though, picking up some blocks and a nice slam to get him back into rhythm. The Suns ultimately lost this one 127-107 and never found the offensive power they showed in the first quarter.
Up Next
The Suns finish up their road trip, taking on the Chicago Bulls in the Windy City on a nice Sunday afternoon.
