With New York in town on Friday night, you knew it was going to be a real test. Yes, the Knicks have scuffled at times lately, but they still bring the things that have historically made life miserable for Phoenix. Three-point shooting. Rebounding. Long, annoying defenders who live in your jersey. For a moment, it felt like the night might tilt that way again.
Instead, the Suns dug in. They built a 12-point lead in the third quarter, absorbed the push, and held on to send the Knicks home frustrated. And who finished it? Grayson Allen. Hustle plays. Nerves of steel at the line. The whole deal.
Jalen Brunson had the ball with a chance to tie it. Phoenix defended. Brunson panicked. The ball got deflected and started drifting out of bounds. And then came the play. Allen sprinted past Mikal Bridges and fired the ball off him before it went out. Possession Suns. Game over.
That moment summed up the night. It summed up the season. This team does not stop. They do not concede plays. They keep coming. They force pressure. They turn effort into points and mistakes into wins. That was a quality win. Another one.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
Grayson Allen, the hero on Friday night, also had a helluva game on Wednesday as well, earning his second BSB of the year!
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 38 against the Knicks. Here are your nominees:
Devin Booker
31 points (10-of-23, 4-of-6 3PT), 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +11 +/-
Dillon Brooks
27 points (8-of-15, 5-of-9 3PT), 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, +13 +/-
Royce O’Neale
12 points (4-of-6, 4-of-6 3PT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 0 turnovers, +5 +/-
Mark Williams
10 points (5-of-6), 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +9 +/-
Grayson Allen
10 points (2-of-10, 0-of-6 3PT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +8 +/-
Ryan Dunn
7 points (3-of-3, 1-of-1 3PT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, -6 +/-
And the winner is…