After going 3-4 in a stretch of seven straight single-digit games, the Valley Suns returned to looking like gangbusters on Friday, when they blew out the Memphis Hustle 139-125 at Mullett Arena.
Memphis Grizzlies second-year wing GG Jackson was active on assignment, and while he unquestionably looked like the most talented player on the floor, his day started with two turnovers and a foul before attempting a shot.
Jackson and Suns two-way wing Jalen Bridges went at it early in the second half, with Bridges holding his own as Jackson sized him up, but the gap there is clear and present for now. That was evident when Bridges tried to get a breakaway slam but Jackson stayed right with him for a block.
Jackson finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and eight turnovers. It felt like for each highlight he had, there was a lowlight to match, especially late where his turnovers sealed the Valley win after the Hustle had cut it to seven with 7:53 remaining.
“I think we had to dial back in defensively. I think our guys for the most part did a really good job,” coach John Little said postgame. “It’s tough, that team is very talented. You bring GG Jackson down here who’s started NBA games, and he’s a real presence. You can see the body, his size and then the talented offensive guys they got around him.
“That’s a tough team to keep in check for the whole game. We knew they were gonna make a run, but I think we dialed back in. (Executing) a little bit offensively helped us, and then that helped us have them play in the halfcourt too.”
The Suns played with such selflessness early on, often pacing their own assists with the Hustle’s made shots. They raced out to a 25-7 lead after the game’s first six minutes and maintained a comparable lead throughout the first three quarters. By the end of the game, it was again similar.
It was a franchise-record 139 points with 30 assists on 54 makes.
Jaden Shackelford brought his creative and free-flowing scoring style to the first half, when he scored 20 of his 32 points.
It was TyTy Washington Jr.’s second game back with the G League club since an extended stint with Phoenix. After scoring 24 points on 9-for-27 shooting in the first, he was much more efficient in the second: 39 points on 15 of 26 shooting. In both, he had double-digit assists with 11 and 12, respectively.
"we're extremely proud of collin. he works his butt off, he cares so much. he's always checking in on us, he wants to know what's going on just as much as he cares about the guys up there."
valley suns coach john little on collin gillespie's extended run with phoenix.
— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) March 22, 2025
The Suns have just one home game remaining in the regular season, a matchup against the Texas Legends on Thursday. They have two games at the Mexico City Capitanes on Sunday and Tuesday before that.
"it's really cool to see him having success. and the same thing when tyty was up and he was doing his thing up there, like we just feel really really proud, and we want those guys to continue getting those opportunities and shine in those opportunities."
— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) March 22, 2025
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