You might not circle a win over New Orleans and call it a statement at first glance. But every win counts in this league.
Beating the Pelicans on back-to-back nights, on the road, absolutely counts as something
real. That is quality. Maybe that perspective comes from still remembering what the last two seasons felt like, the nights where effort came and went. Those teams did not always bring it, especially in the Big Easy. This one does. And it has been a joy to watch.
The Suns out-rebounded the Pelicans for the second straight night, which matters more than it sounds. They had not out-rebounded an opponent since late November against Oklahoma City. They knocked down 20 threes, tying their season high, the same number they hit in that double overtime loss to Utah early in the year. Seven different players finished in double figures.
This is what a team looks like.
You can dig into Devin Booker’s three-point percentage since November 3 or track Oso’s scoring, but nights like this are the reminder. They do not need everyone to carry the load every night. The structure holds. The group fills the gaps. Phoenix leaves New Orleans with two wins in its pocket.
And for a little extra flavor, they are now 1.5 games out of the four seed. That feels pretty good, too.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Devin Booker claimed his eighth Bright Side Baller of the season for what he did Friday night against the Pelicans. 30 points, 9 rebounds, and a +21 will usually get the job done, and it did here. That edged out Mark Williams, who dropped 24 points with 13 rebounds and spent the night being a problem New Orleans could not solve.
For what it is worth, my vote went to Williams. I thought he swung the game in a very real way. But this is not about me. This one belongs to Booker, and number 8 is now on the board.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 31 against the Pelicans. Here are your nominees:
Devin Booker
20 points (6-of-18, 3-of-9 3PT, 5-of-8 FT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 4 turnovers, +0 +/-
Dillon Brooks
18 points (7-of-18, 2-of-7 3PT, 2-of-3 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +4 +/-
Collin Gillespie
17 points (6-of-14, 5-of-7 3PT), 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +13 +/-
Jordan Goodwin
16 points (5-of-12, 2-of-6 3PT, 4-of-4 FT), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 2 turnovers, -1 +/-
Royce O’Neale
15 points (5-of-9, 5-of-8 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +9 +/-
Jamaree Bouyea
12 points (5-of-6, 2-of-2 3PT), 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 turnovers, +6 +/-
Mark Williams
10 points (4-of-9), 8 rebounds (all offensive), 2 punches on Jose Alvarado
Voting time…
