My expectations going into that Suns game against Oklahoma City felt like a Led Zeppelin riff. If it keeps on raining, the levee’s going to break. Third quarter hit, Thunder pour in 38, Suns put up 30, and you could hear the wood straining. One more inch and the whole thing blows.
But if there is one truth about this Phoenix squad, they do not let the levee snap. Not without a fight.
They charged into the fourth with their chin out, taking punches and returning them with interest. They lost by 4 to a team that usually flattens opponents by 16. Win or lose, the standings do not care. There are no moral victories.
Even so, walking out of that performance, it felt like a test where the teacher expected failure, and the class confidently circled every answer in pen.
No banners hang for effort. Still, scoring 37 in the final frame against a defense built like government steel says something real. It says they refused to fold. It says they believed. Health problems persist, but so do the Suns.
I did not leave watching this game disappointed. I left charged up, like I had inhaled the spark coming off the court. No, there are no moral victories. But there are some losses that leave you encouraged.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks were tied for exactly one game in the Bright Side Ball standings. Big Willy Style would have none of that! After his 21 and 16 against the Kings, he’s once again in second place in the BSB standings.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 20 against the Thunder. Here are your nominees:
Collin Gillespie
24 points (9-of-16 FG, 6-of-11 3PT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -8 +/-
Devin Booker
21 points (5-of-13 FG, 2-of-7 3PT, 9-of-11 FT), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 1 block, -4 +/-
Dillon Brooks
19 points (6-of-18 FG, 2-of-9 3PT, 5-of-5 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, -1 +/-
Jordan Goodwin
14 points (5-of-13 FG, 1-of-5 3PT, 3-of-4 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +6 +/-
Mark Williams
13 points (5-of-9 FG, 0-of-0 3PT, 3-of-3 FT), 14 rebounds, 4 turnovers, -10 +/-
Royce O’Neale
11 points (4-of-10 FG, 3-of-8 3PT, 0-of-0 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, -12 +/-
And the winner is…