New year, same Suns. Phoenix came back to the Valley on Friday night, saw the Sacramento Kings on the schedule, and handled business the way a serious team is supposed to. Aggressive. Focused. No messing
around. That has been the theme of calendar year 2025, and it carried right over.
I know this is the Bright Side Baller space, the quick recap, a few thoughts, then you make the call. But this one is not complicated. It belongs to Devin Booker.
Booker had 27 points in the first half and finally looked like the tip of the spear this offense needs him to be. When he sets the scoring tone, everything else falls into place. The pressure shifts. The floor opens. Roles make sense. That is how this team operates at its best.
We saw it in real time. Booker cooked early, the group followed his lead, and the fourth quarter became optional for him. Yes, it was the Kings. Yes, they are a mess. But that is exactly the point. Nights like this are about doing what you are supposed to do. And Phoenix did.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Booker opened the night in Cleveland, stuck in the mud with 6 points at halftime. Then the switch flipped. He closed with 32, found his rhythm, found his voice, and reminded everyone how these things usually end when he gets rolling. By the final horn, there was no debate left to have. Booker cruised to his 9th Bright Side Baller of the season.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 34 against the Kings. Here are your nominees:
Devin Booker
33 points (13-of-21, 1-of-6 3PT), 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 turnovers, +11 +/-
Dillon Brooks
18 points (8-of-14, 2-of-4 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, +9 +/-
Mark Williams
15 points (3-of-4), 9 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 block, 7-of-11 FT, +7 +/-
Oso Ighodaro
15 points (5-of-7), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, +14 +/-
Collin Gillespie
15 points (6-of-14, 3-of-9 3PT), 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, +20 +/-
Jamaree Bouyea
12 points (6-of-9, 0-of-2 3PT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, +20 +/-
First Bright Side Baller votes of 2026!
