Another day, another thriller for our Suns. Sitting at 1–4, but still plenty to take away. Between efficiency, a potential MIP, and some nice sets, let’s dive into what we learned from this frustrating loss.
Winning the first half…even without Booker
That was one of the main concerns before the season started: the non-Booker minutes…or worse, the “Booker in slides” minutes.
Well, his teammates actually held it down on Wednesday. The team went into halftime up by four — a first this season — after scoring 8 of their first 11 field goals off
assists, and winning the second quarter for the second straight game.
Everyone contributed, and we even saw some nice sets, like this one: cross-screen action, the defense loses track, and Mark Williams just finishes at the rim.
Or here: the play starts with a pick-and-roll between Richards and Allen on the left wing. Allen swings it to Gillespie on the right slot. Meanwhile, Dunn sets an off-ball screen for O’Neale in the right corner. He pops open and knocks down the corner three off Gillespie’s pass.
Thank you, Mark Williams
As expected, he started. And what a night again for our big man: 20 points, 12 boards, 5 stocks, and 9-for-12 from the field. Always complete, always efficient, impactful, and dominant in his natural habitat: the paint.
His impact shows up in his defensive reads: he uses his length to disrupt passing lanes or jump them entirely, like in this clip where, after a drop on the pick-and-roll, he contains and intercepts Ja Morant.
Another key sequence: again on a drop, he contains Morant, which lets Dunn recover, before denying the pass to Jaren Jackson Jr.
Gillespie, the team’s potential MIP?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve found him super intriguing since the start of the season. Statistically, it’s shaping up to be his best year in almost every “visible” category, except shooting percentages and turnovers, which makes sense given his increased usage and responsibilities.
Again tonight, he was solid: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. He especially stepped up in the second quarter to make up for Booker’s slow start.
A satisfying shooting night
Against the Grizzlies, the Suns finally found their offensive rhythm. Shooting 48% from the field, 40% from deep (16/40), and an impressive 88% from the line, easily their cleanest and most efficient game of the season so far.
It’s also the first time this year the team has shot over 45% from the field, 40% from three, and 85% from the stripe. It’s a strong sign of offensive growth and better decision-making.
Like in this clip: no set play called, just pure skill and IQ. Ott Ball in motion?
Small details, sure, but to me they’re telling signs of progress, especially when you consider how rough Booker’s first half was…
Sticking to the system in crunch time
In recent years, crunch time often meant hero-ball, turnovers, and stagnant offense. Not this time. Yes, Booker dropped 16, but it came within the flow. What really stood out was everything else: the ball movement, the spacing, the discipline. Everyone touched the rock before a shot went up.
Perfect example in the clips below: one in transition, the other off a DHO (dribble handoff) with Mark Williams as the handler, setting up Booker in one of his favorite spots. That’s also what Ott Ball is about: finding each player’s comfort zone within the system.
Booker might own fourth quarters this season
7 against the Kings, 12 against the Jazz, and now 16 against the Grizzlies. Devin’s playing with control, embracing his role as the offensive leader, taking the right shots at the right times, especially when the game tightens. Still, you’d love to see that same assertiveness earlier, when the team starts stalling.
Phoenix still lacks that collective edge, that instinct to bury a team when they’re wobbling. That absence of a killer mindset. That’s exactly what cost us the game tonight.
The Suns aren’t far off, but they still lack that predator’s bite. Once they find it, close games won’t be left to chance…sorry — what am I saying? — games will be over long before that! Well…in my dreams.
