Phoenix Suns’ Mikal Bridges (25) shoots Aaron Holiday from the Indiana Pacers (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, January 9, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo / Darron Cummings)
Phoenix Suns attackers Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson were talking on the flight from Detroit to Indiana. Among the topics were his best overall games and high numbers in his careers so far in his NBA careers.
“I told him yesterday on the plane that he was going to make a big one today and I knew it was coming,” said Johnson.
The second-year ward is quite a prophet. Bridges had a career record of 34 points, leading the Suns to their best offensive performance of the season with their best win of the season, a 125-117 final over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
The Suns had an impressive 33 assists and only three turnovers, with that second number tying a franchise record. And the context amplifies how impressive the effort was.
Phoenix played the night after their worst loss of the season to the Pistons, in which three different players – Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker and Chris Paul – played at least 37 minutes. Saturday was the second game back on the road and against Pacers, one of the best teams in the league.
In addition, reserve guard Cam Payne, who has been stellar this season, was out due to a sprained right ankle. This meant that coach Monty Williams could insert another player into the rotation or adjust it. He chose the latter option, having Booker or Paul execute the attack for all 48 minutes, as they spent less time together on the ground than they did all season.
The results were very good!
“These two guys make it so easy for us to attack,” said Williams. “They see the game in the same way. They can score, but they see their partners out there and take advantage of opportunities. We had 33 assists tonight, just 3 turns, I think partly because those two had the ball most of the game, starting the attack ”.
Williams said the Suns were more pick-and-roll than usual, mentioning that maybe this is something they should be doing more for Paul, specifically with their skill in these looks.
The game had 14 advantage changes in the first half. The Suns found their mojo and fifth gear in the third quarter, and if it weren’t for Pacers’ Domantas Sabonis, it would have been a blast.
Sabonis had 20 of his 28 points and nine of his 22 rebounds in the third. This relieved some of the pressure that Phoenix was bringing with 34 points in the third quarter, but continued to come with 35 more in the fourth.
This was led by Booker, who had the first type of All-World performance by a Suns player this season in a time of crisis. Booker was excellent, creating an open look or scoring in almost every possession, doing so with relentless energy.
“It just adds to everyone’s effort. We really started to dismantle and chase the teams, and when that energy level increases, I think we can be very dangerous and we have been very dangerous, ”said Johnson.
Williams said the game’s hallmark was Booker stealing a pass on the pitch and playing it early in the fourth period.
Book entered the game in 98-96 with 9 minutes to go.
Read the entry here and drop it on the floor.
102-96 pic.twitter.com/fwdfuusAU1
– David Kevin (@theIVpointplay) January 10, 2021
That bucket put the Suns in six with 7:56 left and was the start of a 15-4 run over the course of four minutes that Booker set up or scored all points.
Whirly bird again signals AKA same move.
Spain PnR, but this time with Jae.
This is the game of my game. The book goes through the pass just as Sabonis is “returning” Ayton to Turner. pic.twitter.com/sKugnn09h8
– David Kevin (@theIVpointplay) January 10, 2021
Don’t be fooled by Booker’s average statistical night – by your standards – of 25 points and seven assists.
This was the return of the excerpts from the “bad man” that we saw from Booker in the bubble, the final form that Booker achieves when he alone takes control and wins the games late.
The Suns made only two attempts at free throws at the end of the first half, but ended up with 17, hitting them all.
Paul had 15 points and 10 assists. He and Booker had no turnover.
Bridges, not Ayton, Booker or Paul, was the first Suns player to score 30 points in a game this season. He was sensational, attacking the basket with an extra gear like a slasher that we haven’t seen before.
As you can see from these highlights, Bridges can recreate many of these baskets. His ability to easily score 15 points a night out of three, transition opportunities and hoop attacks dramatically alter the team’s offensive dynamics.
Paulo spoke highly of Bridges when asked how he felt when he saw Bridges that night.
“Dude, one of the best feelings. I’ve been with a lot of guys in this league over the years and he’s one of the best guys I think I’ve ever been to, ”said Paul. “So, seeing him get along and seeing his game flourish the way it is, it’s good because he deserves it.”
Paul had more about Bridges, smiling as he tried to figure out the best way to describe some of Bridges’ personality.
“In addition to Mikal taking on the most difficult defensive task at night … he can set up, he’s cool, but then … he’s a smart guy. You have to take care of him. He is very skilled with the language, ”said Paul. “A fun guy, a really fun guy to be with. He just has a great spirit about him. “
What Paul means is that Bridges’ sense of humor and wit, which I can say first hand, even with limited interactions, is incredible. He’s hilarious. The post-game Suns locker room soaked Bridges with ice water after the game.
And here’s what he had to say about it:
Mikal Bridges that the brain never forgets. pic.twitter.com/SNEyu6uhIF
– Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 10, 2021
“He’s one of those guys (where) when I kick him and he gets his chance, I feel like I got it,” said Paul.
Bridges is the guy who personifies what the Suns are more than anyone else on the team.
“His nickname should be Every Day because he is the same guy every day,” said Williams. “He always has a great attitude, he works hard, he has a great advantage, he treats everyone with unreal respect, and yet he goes out on the track and plays like he is a football player, sometimes crazy. I love the balance he has and I just love seeing guys who work hard and have work rewarded for them.
“He’s been a flagship for our player development program and I’m very happy to see him not only doing it on the offensive side, but he does it every night on the defensive side. Even when he doesn’t stop the guy, he will give you a great effort. That’s what our team is based on. We compete every night and try to defend and share basketball ”.
Bridges has already discovered the most difficult parts. He’s a great versatile defender and makes reactionary plays in split seconds that take guys like him to another level.
The aggressiveness and confidence with which he plays offensively makes him even better defensively. After these developments, consistency in their offensive impact comes next, and that’s the easy part! This will come with time.
Bridges consolidated himself as the third best player in the team. Bridges will continue to lessen the blow of a # 1 choice that doesn’t reach its potential the further it improves. Saturday nights, a hard-won victory against a great Pacers team that gave Suns everything he had, exemplify the importance of that.
Phoenix can beat the best shot of most teams when Bridges is playing as This one.