The Phoenix Suns are in a season where victories feel rare. But victories do not always show up in the win column. You can have victories on the court with rotations, with culture, and with effort. Friday
night against the Utah Jazz, a team projected near the bottom of the NBA, they did what they were supposed to do: they won. That alone makes it a good victory.
But it was a good victory for more than that. This team needed to feel success. They’ve been playing hard, grinding, and it hasn’t always translated to wins, and that can weigh on a squad.
But when your relentless pressure forces a team to shoot under 40%, you leave the arena feeling alive. Even missing two starters, the Suns found ways to galvanize, to climb, to win. They didn’t just win, they jumped out and held a lead. When’s the last time you saw the Suns open up a 20-point lead and carry it all the way? You’d have to rewind to the 64-win season to find a moment like that.
This game was supposed to be won. How they won it makes it feel like something the team can build on, a reference point for growth, a glimpse of what this squad can be when everything clicks.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Dude. Mark Williams is an absolute menace. Early in the season, he’s not just showing up in the box score, he’s owning the damn standings.
Before last night, Devin Booker was sitting pretty at tenth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 29.2 a game. Impressive, right? Sure. But in the Bright Side Baller standings? Forget about it. One lonely win. That’s it. Why? Because this is Mark Williams’ world, and the rest of us are lucky he lets us visit.
After another demolition job against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Williams snagged 55% of the BSB vote. That gives him three Bright Side Ballers in four games. Three. In. Four. The man is stacking trophies like they’re empty Gatorade bottles.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 6 against the Jazz. Here are your nominees.
Devin Booker
36 points (13-of-23, 6-of-9 3PT), 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, +19 +/-
Royce O’Neale
13 points (5-of-10, 3-of-8 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +13 +/-
Ryan Dunn
13 points (5-of-12, 1-of-7 3PT), 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, +2 +/-
Grayson Allen
14 points (5-of-15, 2-of-9 3PT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, +17 +/-
Collin Gillespie
12 points (4-of-8, 4-of-7 3PT), 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +16 +/-
Mark Williams
9 points (3-of-6, 0-of-0 3PT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers, +3 +/-
Votin’ time!
